It’s about 12 miles from Dunbar to North Berwick, and though both are on the rail network, it’s not easy to do the journey by rail (getting on for 60 miles…). I’ll return to Dunbar on the bus. More to follow; in the meantime, a taster…
Back on the rails
A quick look at the splendid viaduct at Montrose (on a very dull morning), and a ride on the reopened (earlier this month) railway to Leven, with a visit to the very attractive and floral station of Aberdour on the return journey to Edinburgh. The following are tasters of future posts…
Camus More cloudscapes
Yesterday evening’s visit to Camus More – and another look at those unusual lenticular clouds
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=136775&Y=870850&A=Y&Z=120
Dunvannarain and Meall Tuath
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Sunday’s weather was much more friendly – bright, some pleasant sunshine, and sufficient breeze to keep the midges away… I’ve walked this circular route a couple of times recently – it’s the first few miles of the Skye Trail, linking the small car park at the Shulista road end with Kilmaluag old churchyard, or Cladh. As there’s space at the former, I’ll start there – and walk the route anti-clockwise, to get the road walk done first (it’s not bad – not much traffic this afternoon).
Once off the road, the walk is very enjoyable, passing the old settlement (now home to lots of rabbits) and cairn at Dunvannarain on its grassy ridge. Soon I’m at the cliff edge, and the coastal scenery is spectacular as far as the bothy (a former coastguard look-out) on Meall Tuath. After the compulsory choc-stop (there’s a perfectly-placed bench), the return to the start is easy and pleasant – a well-trodden way, much improved in recent years, with great views to the western coastline of Trotternish, the sea sparkling in the sunshine.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=142365&Y=875170&A=Y&Z=120
Lenticular
After several almost sunless days, it’s been a much better day. One result is lots of photos to work through, but they’ll have to wait. Here’s just one taster – a remarkable evening cloudscape at the northern end of Trotternish, with the scattered houses of Bornesketaig in the middle distance.
A Reieval ramble
It’s no great height – 299m, according to the Ordnance Survey – but it’s high enough on (yet another) windy day. Fortunately there are some comfortable rocks, perfect for a chocolate stop, just to the leeward side of the summit. Before I take to the hill, I’m walking along the road from Uig to the Quiraing. Judging by the number of cars, SUVs, camper vans and minibuses on this narrow road, it will be horribly busy there. Reieval may not be quite so scenic (or well-known), but it’s a great place to sit and survey the scene – and there’s no-one else there.
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A few spots in the wind…
…after the rain. A short walk on the longest day…
As forecast, conditions were fit for a leg-stretch in the evening – from the village hall down to the slip at Camus More. There’s no sunshine (not much light at all!), but there’s colour here and there. The camper vans have been passing in the dozens, but I’ve got this little corner of Skye to myself this evening.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=137860&Y=870620&A=Y&Z=120
Rainy day
Caption not needed…
Flora and corncrakes
A short stroll on a dull evening. No photos of the corncrakes (they’re secretive at the best of times, though a good few years ago we watched a pair in the garden here) – but we heard at least two in the boggy land between the main road and Monkstadt. The latter will always be associated with Flora Macdonald (as in “Over the sea to Skye”), but there are no photos of her either. The only flora in this post are some yellow flag irises, the ragged robins (blowing about in the wind) and a few buttercups. There are showers in the distance, but we’ve avoided them (luck!), and I’m not complaining about the wind. The midges can’t fly when it’s windy!
RSPB Corncrake – do play the sound recording on this site!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=138235&Y=867678&A=Y&Z=120
Uig Baywatch
I believe it was a TV programme? No, this is a walk on the north side of Uig bay, via Idrigill to the headland of Creagile. Along the way, there are good views of the pier and the Hebrides, loading for its departure to Tarbert, Harris. Up on the headland, there’s a stiff breeze – the views may be great, but it’s not easy to hold the camera still.
Rather than retracing my steps all the way, I return via the playing fields and the woodlands by the shore, to admire once again the amazing lichen-clad trees.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=138622&Y=863963&A=Y&Z=120
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