511 Castletown to West Dunnet

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Tuesday, 23rd of May, 2023]

This is the walk I should have done yesterday – today I’m filling in the gap. I chain my bike up at the Castletown car park and start by walking along part of the Flagstone Trail.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

510 West Dunnet to Dunnet Head

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 22nd May 2023]

What a lovely place this is. West Dunnet – just a handful of houses and a little museum called Mary Ann’s Cottage. Here is a pretty little harbour too, with an old pier, and a deserted car park. Only one vehicle parked.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

509b Thurso to Castletown

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 21st May, 2023]

After lunch, I set off across the grassy area alongside the shore. Notice an upright pillar on a mound – check my map – could be Rossy Hillocy Cairn. Why is it there? No idea.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

509a Thurso to Castletown

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Sunday, 21st May 2023]

I set off walking from the campsite in Thurso. First along the cliff top, later along a rather sad promenade, and then down onto the beach.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

508b Scrabster to Thurso

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on the 20th May, 2023]

The public road – the infamous A9 – ends at Scrabster, but a private road continues up to the lighthouse. The signs are a little off-putting, but I’ve seen other pedestrians walking along here.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

508a Forss to Scrabster

Posted on May 11, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Saturday 20th May, 2023]

I cycle back to the crossroads in Forss (may the Force be with you) and dodge the noisy birds in the rookery. Make sure I leave my bike where it won’t get pooped upon.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

507b Forss to Crosskirk

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Friday the 19th May, 2023]

Forss turns out to be an oasis of trees – a welcome change after the tree-less agricultural land I’ve just walked through. It even has a pretty river.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

507a Reay to Forss

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Friday the 19th May, 2023]

Here I am in Reay, back at the Bridge of Isauld, and I am surprised to note there really is a bridge here. Somehow, I missed seeing it yesterday – although I must have crossed it.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

506b Sandside Bay

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Thursday the 18th May, 2023]

The sides of the cliffs are covered in flowers – thrift, daisies, tiny violets – flowers everywhere. I spend a long time on Sandside Head, taking photographs of the view, including this photo of the beautiful (and empty) beach at Sandside Bay.

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

506a Reay and Sandside Head

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Ruth Livingstone

[This walk was completed on Thursday 18th May, 2023]

I cycle back to the parking layby overlooking the old Dounreay power station. It’s an uphill battle and a wearying ride, even though my Scooty bike is electric. You still have to pedal on an ebike, and I’m battling against both the slope and the wind!

Continue reading →
Posted in 24 North Coast of Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments