436 Beaches and Red Point

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on the 10th August 2020]

Yesterday, I was in a bad mood and found the walk tedious – and that means I was in breach of one of my own rules: “Enjoy each and every walk”.

I’ve never been to this part of Scotland before, and will probably never return. The weather is beautiful, the scenery is stunning, and I’ve decided to spend a few hours just enjoying the place. So, I drive back towards Red Point, and park near the village of Melvaig, where I’ve spotted a lovely stretch of sand.

I sit on the beach for an hour or so.

Continue reading →
Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

435 Craig’s Bothy to Red Point

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on the 9th August, 2020]

Because of the logistics of this part of the coast, I’ve decided to split the walk to Red Point into two sections, with two separate there-and-back walks. Yesterday, I walked to Craig’s Bothy from Lower Diabaig, and back again. Today, I’m walking onwards from the bothy to Red Point.

I start from the rickety bridge that crosses over the Craig River, just below the bothy.

Of course, in order to get to the bridge, I’ve actually already walked here from Red Point. So, when I reach the bridge, I’m hot and tired, and desperate for a drink and some lunch. But, no sooner have I slung my rucksack off my back… but the dreaded midges surround me.

Continue reading →
Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

434 Inveralligin to Craig’s Bothy (part 3)

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on the 8th August, 2020]

I’m tired after my long hike out to Craig’s Bothy and back, followed by my trek up the road. But my day isn’t over yet. I need to join up with yesterday’s walk, which ended further down the road, at the bridge over the Abhainn Alligin, just above Inveralligin.

Having retrieved the Monster bike, I park my car, again, at the view point near the top of the pass.

A white campervan has pulled up beside me, and a couple get out. They watch as I heave my bike out of the car. “Good for you,” they say. Followed by, “You’re brave.”

Continue reading →
Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

434 Inveralligin to Craig’s Bothy (part 2)

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on the 8th August, 2020]

I leave my bike above Loch Diabaig, and set off walking up the road. Cottages are scattered over the hillside. Some are clearly working farms and crofts, while others – the grander ones – are probably holiday lets.

31 up the road from Lower Diabaig, Ruth walking the coast of NW Scotland

Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

434 Inveralligin to Craig’s Bothy (part 1)

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on 8th August 2020]

It’s a thrilling, downhill, free-pedalling ride to Lower Diabaig, where I leave my bike chained near the beginning of a footpath. This is the path that should take me all the way to the famous Craig Bothy.

01 bike at the start of the path, Ruth's hike to Craig Bothy and back, Scotland

Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

433 Annat, Torridon to Inveralligin

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on the 7th August 2020]

I cycle through Annat, and leave my Monster Bike on a grass bank beside the road, hidden by a bank of ferns.

001 The Monster bike at Annat, Ruth walking the coast of Scotland

There’s Torridon, just across the water, sitting under the steep slopes of the mountains. Not far away, but I must walk around the top of the loch to reach it. Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Interlude: a tale of two infections

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

Infection number one: a tricky rash

I meant to return to Scotland in September, but… that rash in my groin – the one I thought was a sweat rash because I noticed it after a soggy bicycle ride – well… it didn’t go away.

Continue reading →
Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , | 49 Comments

432 Lochaline Link walk

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 16th August 2019.]

Instead of heading straight back home from Loch Torridon, I’ve returned to the Morvern Peninsula, where I leave my Scooty bike a couple of miles outside Lochaline, at the turn off to Kinlochteacuis.

Filling in the section of my coast walk requires my trusty bike

Why am I back here? Let me explain… Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments

431 Shieldaig to Annat, Loch Torridon

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 15th August 2019]

It’s a treacherous cycle ride to Shieldaig, along a surprisingly busy road. I leave my Scooty bike chained up by a gate, and set off walking… well, actually, I sit on a bench overlooking Loch Shieldaig for a while because first I need to recover from the bike ride.

It’s a beautiful morning.

01 bench at Shieldaig, Ruth's coastal walk around Scotland

Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

430pm Ardheslaig to Shieldaig

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 14th August 2019]

The road twists, turns, and dips up and down. It’s very pretty really but, after the excitement of the ‘proper path’ this morning, the rest of today’s walk seems a bit of a slog.

23 twisting road to Sheldaig, Ruth walking the south bank of Loch Torridon, Scotland

Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged , , | 16 Comments