Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK)

423 first part, Ardaneaskan to Kishorn

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 6th August 2019.]

Today, I plan to follow a Core Path that links the dead-end road at Ardaneaskan with the dead-end road at Achintraid. It’s going to be a there-and-back walk. The final descent to Achintraid is supposed to be tricky – involving a slippery rock and a piece of rope!

I decide to start my walk at the difficult end, and walk the “wrong” way first, just to make sure I can get through.

In fact, the climb out of Achintraid is much easier than I expect, and the views from the top are wonderful. That’s Loch Kishorn below. Over on the far hills I can see a road winding up a steep valley.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged core path, hiking, scotland, travel, walking | 15 Comments

422pm Ardaneaskan to Lochcarron

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on 5th August 2019.]

It’s raining by the time I pack up my lunch and leave Strome Castle. I walk back to the T junction, and turn right towards Lochcarron. It’s not wet enough to pull on my waterproofs. Put my head down. March through the drizzle.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged hiking, photography, scotland, travel | 18 Comments

422am Ardaneaskan to Lochcarron

Posted on June 20, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk took place on 5th August 2019.]

I stayed last night in the Wee Camp Site in Lochcarron. This morning, I steer my Scooty bike along the narrow road that runs beside the shore from Lochcarron to Ardaneaskan, and reach the carpark at the end. Continue reading →

Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged castle, fishing, hiking, scubadiving, travel | 22 Comments

421 Totaig to Ardintoul and back, 2nd try

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 16th July 2019]

I drive to the Glenelg peninsula, easing The Beast along the narrow shore road, through Ratagan and Letterfearn, until I reach the last parking place on the road to Totaig.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged forest, hiking, photography, scotland, ticks | 30 Comments

420pm Strome Ferry to Lochcarron

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 15th July, 2019]

After a short lunch break, I continue onwards. Cliffs rise high to my right, while the railway line snakes along the left-hand side of the road.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged hiking, NC500, photography, scotland, travel | 23 Comments

420am Strome Ferry to Lochcarron

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

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

I get off the train at Strome Ferry, on a glittering bright morning. The train pulls away and leaves me alone on the platform.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged hiking, loch, railway, scotland, walking | 14 Comments

419 Plockton to Strome Ferry

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Sunday, 14th July 2019]

I wake up to scattered clouds and a blue sky, and a wonderful view from my campervan looking down over Loch Carron.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged hiking, loch, photography, scotland, walking | 21 Comments

418 Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 13th July 2019]

A railway line runs from Inverness to Kyle, and follows the shoreline for the last few miles of its journey. This means I don’t have to use my astonishingly heavy electric bike (aka Scooty), but can take the train instead!

I park The Beast in Plockton. It’s a weird name – not Scottish-sounding at all – but Plockton turns out to be a staggeringly beautiful place. This was the view from the car park, looking up Loch Carron.

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged coast, hiking, palm trees, photography, scotland | 17 Comments

417 over to Skye

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 12th July 2019]

I leave The Beast in the free car park at the Kyle of Lochalsh. The morning is cloudy but dry, and the air is still. I take photographs looking towards the Skye Bridge.

A boat has docked at a nearby quay, and I watch a family group disembarking. I wonder what adventures they’ve been having?

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Posted in 22 Highlands | Tagged bridge, photography, scotland, Skye, walking | 15 Comments

416 pm Dornie to Kyle of Lochalsh

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 11th July]

I cross over the main road, and walk a short way down a minor road leading towards Balmacara Square. Ah, here it is – the footpath (another Core Path) that should take me over the hills to Kyle.