Old Wick Castle and Stack o’Brough
Coastal walk in very windy conditions. Wick to Old Wick Castle and on to Stack o’Brough and return to Wick. Wind was pushing me to cliff edge so decided to cut short the intended destination, Very bracing!
River Thurso- Halkirk to Thurso
A tough 15k walk along the bank of the river Thurso, from Halkirk to Thurso. Difficult terrain at times. Also included the Burn of Geise from its confluence with the river Thurso to the ruins of the Geise Distillery. Note the autumn colours at the Thurso end of the river. Mainly dry but a brisk …
Loch Calder
Good walking weather for this walk from Halkirk to Loch Calder. Lots of bird activity on the loch – migration, including a flock of Whooper Swans resting in a recently harvested corn field. The swans only just leaving as I passed several hours later. The Whooper Swans are winter visitors from Iceland.
Calder and Braal
Early October local walk in bright sunshine with a scattering of white puffy clouds. Coolish temperatures with a gentle breeze. Out towards Calder and back via River Thurso and Braal Castle.
Halkirk to Thurso Beach
Another beautiful day with a clear blue sky. Temperatyres a shade cooler than yesterday made for pleasant walking as I crossed the fields from Halkirk to Thurso. Like yesterday harvesting was in full flow. The walk took me across fields and farm tracks to the Hill of Sour, North Calder and West Calder to reach …
Ben Dorrery and Loch Calder
A 23 kilometre return walk from Halkirk on a glorious warm day with clear blue skies. A tale of two lochs. First to Loch Calder, its blue millpond surface reflecting the brilliance of the blue sky. I sat and rested on the loch shore and just took in the beauty of the day. After, I …
Halkirk to Achanarras Quarry Loop
A glorious day for walking. One of those rare Caithness days when there is little or no breeze and cloudless skies. A longish 21k walk along quiet country roads to visit Achanarras Quarry. “Scotland’s ‘fossil quarry’, one of the most famous fossil sites in the world, offering a unique opportunity to discover and learn about …
Harrow Harbour to Gills Bay
A really tough coastal walk with no defined paths, thick clumpy grass, and heather underfoot. A couple of Gills (ravines) to traverse and a rocky shoreline. The walk took me from Harrow harbour past the Castle of Mey, the sea stacks of “The Men of Mey”, St.Johns Point and the beautiful cove and beach called …
Wick Riverside and St.Fergus Church
A walk along a section of the river Wick and a visit to St Fergus Church in Wick. The fountain is known as Smith’s Fountain and was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century with money donated by Ex- Provost William Paterson Smith. St Fergus is the patron Saint of Wick. This traditional Scottish …
Brough to Harrow
An interesting coastal walk from Brough to Harrow. A glorious walking day, lots of sunshine with passing clouds and a cooling breeze. Wonderful clear views of Dunnet Head and the Orkney Islands. It is not a defined path and walking was tough, very overgrown, so the going was slow – just 10 kilometres in 4 …