[This walk was completed on the 16th May 2023]

I’m on my way to Strathy Point and the lighthouse. It’s a deceptively sunny day, because the landscape is raked by a freezing wind.

(After my low mood yesterday afternoon, I wish I could say I had cheered up this morning. But today is NOT a good day, although it really should have been, because the scenery is lovely and I get to walk along a beautiful beach.)

I start by battling against the wind on my Scooty bike to reach the car park at the end of the public road. From here, a private track leads to Strathy Point and the lighthouse. I decide to chain the bike up, and walk this final stretch.

On the way to the lighthouse, I pass a little lochan – Lochan nam Faoileag – where a tall model lighthouse sits proudly on a rock.

The model lighthouse is actually much more interesting than the real lighthouse, which is a squat affair with a square turret. Now a private house.

I climb up onto a ridge and admire the views. Take photographs. This is looking to the west, where the distant blue headland must be the peninsula on which Cape Wrath sits. The Cape Wrath lighthouse is on the other side of the headland, so wouldn’t be visible from here even with binoculars.

To the east is another impressive stretch of coast. I think I can see all the way to… to John o’Groats? I check the map on my Garmin… no, not John o’Groats. Probably the far headland is Dunnett Head – the most northerly point on mainland Britain.

I sit in the lee of a stone structure – some sort of storage shed, maybe. It is very windy and COLD. I eat a picnic lunch (yes, it was a late start this morning), and look out over the waves. The sea below is wild and choppy.

Apparently this is a good place to see dolphins and whales, but the white-tipped waves make them hard to spot. Until, suddenly, I see a fin below me. A dolphin, not a whale, but the highpoint of the day.

I walk back along the shore, and come across this strange enclosure. It looks too modern and well-kept to be an old sheep enclosure.

Turns out to be some sort of memorial to several members of the Gunn family. The dates of death are this century, so this must be a fairly recent construction.

I continue walking the shore until I rejoin the road to reach the car park where I left my Scooty bike. A little box on stilts promises me free-range eggs – and there are several egg cartons inside. “Strong shells” says the sign, as if guessing why I might be reluctant to buy any eggs today.

But I don’t normally do any cooking in my van (the smells linger) and don’t carry any cooking equipment with me. Still, I love seeing these little roadside shops.

It is tempting to jump on my Scooty bike and whizz down the road, but I am WALKING back to Strathy Bay. I wave to the bike. I will be back later, I promise.

The road is pleasant enough, with the usual mix of desirable residences, old cottages, run-down crofts, delapidated caravans, and storage areas full of junk.

Along the way, I pass several windswept highland cattle. Now, I really don’t like cows, but these are very cuddly looking, and seem happy to pose for photographs.

This black one is very chic, with auburn highlights – but as I get nearer, I realise he/she is just rather muddy!

I’m reaching the end of the long finger of land that leads to Strathy Point, and Strathy Bay is just out of sight below me. Look at the wonderful views enjoyed by this house.

Ahead is the Presbyterian Church and the little car park where I parked my van yesterday, and I know the main road is just over the next rise.

But, before I join the main road, I pass a sign for “Strathy Bay Pods” and, intiguingly, see that ebikes are for hire. I’m so grateful for my own ebike. Cycling up hills against the wind is still hard work, but it would be much harder without the little push of electric power to help me.

Yes, Scooty is one of my better buys and I am very grateful to have him!

I reach the junction with the main road. There is a bus stop here. I wonder how frequently the buses run? Luckily, I don’t need to worry about bus times because I have my bike.

I’m walking down towards Strathy Bay, and pass the Strathy Inn. The thought of a warm bed and ensuite shower is very tempting… but the place was fully booked.

This used to be the old post office – a strange shack that appears to be made of corrugated iron. It is now a private residence I believe.

Ah, my first good view of Strathy Beach. Can’t wait to get down there.

Down the hill first, past a war memorial, and then to a bridge over the river, where there is a modern hall and information about a Pictish Cross that lies on a hilltop somewhere nearby.

But I’m not going in search of the Picts. Instead, I’m taking a Core Path off to the left, which leads along the bank of the river and will take me to the beach.

This is a lovely path. I avoid the easier field walking, and make my way through the stunted and twisted trees that line the river bank.

And, finally, here I am – where the river meets the sea. What a beautiful sight. Strathy Bay.

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[To be continued…]

Route so far:

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