Into the Wilderness ... Tarbat Ness

Following my morning fishing at Portmahomack .. where I enjoyed my fill of mackerel ..it was time for a walk around Tarbat Ness.

Tarbat Ness lighthouse is the most easterly in Scotland and is the third highest. Its distinctive red bands make it a pretty photo on such a lovely summer day.

I then had a look round the Discovery Centre which features some fine Pictish relics and art works.

Although I was not so impressed with their whale vertebrae exhibit.

I think my own collection  of dead sea creature bones from my inflatable boat journeys is far more artistic.

I made this video to recall this fine day during the cold dark days of winter. Hope it makes you dream of summer weather again too.

Direct Link to video on U Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv6D4CXgvOs

Into The Wilderness ... Portmahomack

Returning to the North .. I headed for Portmahomack .. another village from distant childhood memories. I chose the east coast this time because the forecast for the west was wet and windy. But dryer in the east. There are less midges to bother me which was also a bonus.

The negatives for the east coast for me is it more populated and the land cultivated ... which meant finding overnight car camp spots a bit harder. The coastline has little shelter from the swells on the North Sea.

As it was forecasted to be windy .. I took my smallest boat .. it would take up little room in the car. My idea was to explore the east coast by foot.

The harvest was golden ripe in the fields .. in contract to the bleak heather moors of the west.

I arrive in Portmahomack in the evening to look for a suitable overnight camp spot. The sea was calm and I looked forward to a calm morning fishing for my breakfast

This video illustrated my small Avon inflatable performance very well.. and Im pleased to say..I didn’t go hungry.

Direct Link to video on U tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd6HEM-oSrM

Into The Wilderness ... Sluggan Bay

After my journey around Priest Island and Little Loch Broom ... I was a bit stiff from sitting in the small boat for most of the day.

It was still a beautiful summer’s evening so I decided to visit Sluggan Bay and see its deserted village. I wasn’t going by boat this time .. I was happy to walk for the exercise.

Here is a short video of that walk. Nothing spectacular ..but it let me see another part of the coast that I had not seen before. There were lovely clear views from Sluggan across to Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Direct Link to video on U tube

https://youtu.be/oqNuZLSryeA


The following morning I headed for home .. to check on my mail .. have a good clean out of the car ..rest a day or two .. wash clothes ... before heading north again.

On the way ... I stopped off at the House of Bruar for a coffee and a leg stretch ... where I watched some canyon walkers below the Braur Falls.

Once my house was in order I headed for the north east coast of Scotland.. simply because the west looked very wet and windy from the weather forecasts.

Ben Cleuch by The Law

I'm still around ..and although I have been quiet on the blog for a day or two .. its because my love of the hills has been calling. Which is great news for me as my lousy liver disease took it away for a year or more. The pills are working.

Anyhoo .. the snows arrived on the Ochil hills on Friday afternoon and after a bitter cold night .. I couldn't wait to get out there. Possibly because my house was freezing during the day.

I clambered up Ben Cleuch again but this time by The Law. Its the most scenic way ..but its also the steepest way I go.

I'm glad I chose the Ochils on Saturday as the bitter cold and strong winds sapped my energy. A munro would have been much harder.

Here is the video of my first winter hill walk this year..hope its one of many more to come.

Direct link to video on U Tube
https://youtu.be/UisySIA7ygg

Into The Wilderness ... Litttle Loch Broom

Leaving Priest Island ... it was still only mid morning .. so I decided to have a look in Little Loch Broom. Then explored all the sandy beaches in Gruinard Bay. It really is a lovely area to explore.

This video tells the adventure well....

Direct link to video on U Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8l14D92iqs

Into The Wilderness ... Priest Island

In the evening ... following my Anthrax Island adventure ... I took a walk along the coastal cliffs from Mellon Udrigle campsite to Rubha Beag. I wanted to size up my next adventure. A four mile open sea crossing to Priest Island. Its one of the Summer Isles and I had missed it when I rounded them ... preferring to approach it from this side of the mainland.

It was still a bit breezy for the crossing .. but I hoped that by leaving early the following morning .. I could visit before either wind or common dolphins were around.

And that is exactly what I did.

Direct Link to my video on U Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Ua417HuBs

Into The Wilderness ... Gruinard (Anthrax) Island

Its amazing how a little sunshine can improve a grey mood ... so after a couple of days drying out on the east coast .. the weather improved again over on the west .. so I headed back to Gruinard Bay. It looked a far different place under blue sky. Warm and inviting again.

I had wanted to visit Gruinard Island for as long as I can remember. In the 1980’s I often passed it touring Scotland on my motor bikes and always stopped to wonder what it would be like walking there. Of course ..in those days it was still prohibited to land due to the dangers of the Anthrax experiment they conducted there ... testing germ warfare for WW2 requirements.

Its now clear of anthrax and landing is allowed.. although not many folks do. Some think the anthrax spores could still survive in the ground ? That rumour was not going to stop me from visiting. All I had to do was find the best place to launch my wee boat.

I chose the campsite at Mellon Udrigle.

It has a lovely sandy beach with easy access from the tent.

It was a blustery day but I was impatient to be on my way. The waves didn’t bother me.. but I got a bit of a surprise half way across the bay.

This video illustrates perfectly what happened that day

Direct link to the video on U Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w42CWC5nTjI

Into the Wilderness .. A few Grey Gruinard Days

Refreshed from my blue sky day exploring the Summer Isles ... and cleansed by several hot showers at the campsite ... I felt it was time to move on again.

The weather turned to the grey “Scotch Mist” type of day where it neither rains nor does it turn dry. I was still happy just sitting in silent solitude ..doing absolutely nothing.

I found an open field gate not far from Little Loch Broom and with the four wheel drive car ..set up camp in a sheltered area of the field.

I stayed a couple of days .. happily beachcombing the area in between the light showers of rain

There are quite a few deserted sandy beaches and hidden coves on the edge of Gruinard Bay.

I longed for the sun to return as I was keen to launch my boat again and explore Gruinard Island as well as Priest Island. 

But when I awoke on the third consecutive dull day of damp .. and looked over to Gruinard Island .. I decided.. enough is enough.

The forecast over on the east coast was for much dryer weather ..so I nipped across to the Black Isle and Fortrose. I knew that area well from childhood days living in Dingwall.

That trip to the east coast inspired this video

Direct link to video on U Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv69So87NOg

Into The Wilderness ... Summer Isles Part 2,3 & 4

Attached are the remaining videos of my summer "Summer Isles" trip. It really was a beautiful day and I spent around ten hours going round over twelve of the Islands ..Reefs and Rocks. My route was quite confusing ..as I just followed my nose.. to make the best of the day.

I covered approx. 45 miles.

Video Part 2

Video Part 3

Video Part 4

Direct link to U Tube for Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMdFfXzUPs

Direct link to U Tube for Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOp2o0dqBbY

Direct link to U Tube for Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbhjnw73uXc

Into the Wilderness ... The Summer Isles Part 1

The Summer Isles are a collection of island  .. reefs and rocks off the entrance to Loch Broom and the lovely highland town of Ullapool. They are best seen from the hill road near Achiltibuie

Having been on the road and Wild Car Camping for a week..it was time to book into a campsite and soothe my itch for a decent shower. The campsite at Altandu was perfect .. and I will return as it has a nice Pub at its gates ..but unfortunately I couldn't sample the beer at that time ..as I was resting my liver.

I had a look at the slipway at Old Dornie ..its not far from the campsite .. but I decided against launching here. Its very tidal and I was almost left high and dry here in a previous visit

So decided to launch off the beach at Achitibuie common instead. Its my normal launch point when in this area so I'm well aware it is a hard recovery when the tide is out. I don't mind that with my light weight outfit. Its perfect for parking with Public Toilets at the top of the road too.

I noticed the metal balls and old boats that decorate the common are slowly rotting away..but they still make a nice photograph

Here is the video of my trip round the Summer Isles. It was a perfect day. The video is in four parts ..so come back later to see the other parts.

This is the direct link of the video on U Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al6B4b4tV_k

Into the Wilderness ... Stac Polly

A first impression of Lochinver is that it could be just another dreary highland village ..especially in a dull damp day. Its not a particularly attractive village sprawling along one side of the main street. Its a sleepy little village too .. especially if you are waiting to refill the car with fuel. The garage is often closed just when I need it most.

However the sight of the rounded dome of Suilven .. Scotland’s sugar loaf mountain certainly sweetens the village sights for me.

Its only when you stop to explore the village that you discover a real hidden gem. It is the Lochinver Pie Shop. It must make the best pies in Scotland ... if not the entire universe. I can thoroughly recommend the venison pie for main course, followed by the rhubarb pie for afters. These pies can even kick start a lousy liver into firing on four cylinders again. They are truly mana from heaven.

With a stomach full of pie I then drove slowly along one of the most scenic coastal road in Scotland. The single track road between Lochinver and Inverpolly Forest. It passes some delightful sheltered bays.

Lovely fresh water lochs ....

Offering side on sights of Suilven

And eventually arriving at Stack Pollaidh (Polly for short) where I took a short walk to the sandy beach for this photograph.

I then spent the night in a local lay by before rising early in the morning. I was a man on a mission again. Full of energy and Lochinver Pie that needed walked off.

I headed up the hill.

Direct link to the video on U Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7vpszsu_T8



The video is a bit shaky .. not because of nerves walking narrow paths ..but because the Gopro gimbal that stabilises my footage..  well ... the battery was flat.

When I got back to the car .. I discovered my love of boating had returned too .. and where better to re launch it than the Lovely Summer Isles

Into the Wilderness .. On the road again

I was in heaven going round Handa and full of life in Laxford but then .. for no reason at all ... my lousy liver started to give me trouble again. It is the nature of my liver disease .. when its not having fun .. it makes sure I start to lose all sense of enjoyment or motivation doing the things that I enjoy doing.

I'm sure a doctor would give a better explanation .. but I assume its because the liver is like the oil filter in a car. Once it starts to clog with gunge .. the engine cant keep lubricated and doesn’t run well. My joints start to ache with lack of liver oils. I also compare my liver to the ignition system in a car. It produces tiny drug things that are fired to my brain like happy pills.

Of course a doctor may scoff and say its nothing of the kind. I never took biology at school so know little about the wonders of human engines. I can keep my inflatable boat outboards running perfectly and do my own maintenance and servicing on them.

What I do know is that after my time at Laxford .. the spark seemed to go out and I started to get natural happy pill withdrawal symptoms. My joints started to ache and I lost interest in my boat. I had planned on following the entire coast line from Loch Laxford to Skye in my little 2.75 meter long inflatable. Obviously only on suitable weather days and launching it from easy access points.

From Handa I could see the Old Man of Stoer standing off the Point of Stoer and was looking forward to exploring Eddrachillis Bay before paying the Old Man a visit.

My initial plan was to access the area from the slipway at Kylesku ..just underneath the road bridge.

But when I arrived ..I found my liver was only firing on two cylinders and not its normal four ..so lost any interest in launching a boat. I did enjoy sitting on the grass relaxing and watching the tour boat going by.

I then decided that I would have a look at Clachnessie Bay where I knew there was a lovely sandy beach with easy access to The Old Man and also Oldany Island ..another interesting island I had long looked forward to visiting.

When I arrived at Clachnessie ..the tide was miles out .. and I lost interest in launching from there. The thought of hauling even a small inflatable boat across the sand seized all my joints solid.

Because I had lost all motivation..I didn’t care anyway..so that was one positive thought I had.

I continued my drive along the coast. I knew Clachtoll had a lovely beach and a campsite. The thought of a campsite was now quite appealing as I was starting to itch for a warm shower.

Unfortunately the sea swell crashing onto the sands put an end to all notions of stopping here and launching my wee boat.

I moved onto Achmelvitch which has another campsite and lovely sandy beach

I managed to find enough enthusiasm to have a walk along the beach to see the small and unusual “Hermits Castle”

A visiting English architect took many months building in the 1950’s. Once completed..he only spent a weekend staying in it before moving on. I enjoyed seeing it ..but moved on after taking my photographs.

I decided to head for Lochinver.

Although my liver was not sending the happy pills to my brain.. the lovely scenery was ..and I could feel my enthusiasm for boating gradually returning.

Late Autumn in the Trossachs ... Ben Venue

Here is a little extra intermission. It was such a lovely day today ..I went walking in the Trossachs.

The views from the top of Ben Venue are some of the best in Scotland.. so I do hope you watch it to the end to see if you agree. Dante's Prayer is a beautiful song by Loreena McKennitt too.

Hope you Enjoy..

Make sure to watch it in HD as well..if you need to change settings..here is the direct link to my video on U Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeVGoCqFCY0

Intermission ... Armistice Day on Dumyat

Yesterday was another beautiful day.

I live in the home town of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders ..so went up Dumyat to pay my respect and to pause for a moment.

Direct link to video on U tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFOmMsPVek

Into the Wilderness ... Handa Island

I can think of nothing more soothing than falling asleep beside the sea. Listening to the lap of the water on shingle shores and the distant cries of seabirds as they call to the seals.

I fell asleep shortly after going to bed ..but only slept a few hours. Im a side sleeper and turn from left to right side and back again .. several times during the night.

However I couldn’t rest long on my ride side due to my swollen liver.

I was also awakened by a very beautiful and large stag who came round to suss out my campsite. Unfortunately it was too dark to photograph him .. but I can still see him in my mind’s eye as I write this.

I decided to get up around 4.30 am and was on the water for 5.00 am. Happily heading for Handa.

You can watch my adventure in these two Gopro Movies

Direct links to the videos on U Tube if you need to change resolution to watch in HD format

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FshE1OkNMmA

The second Video is here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ISFSOf_1nA

I should add .. the fire stone ring beside my car was not mine. There were three separate rings when I arrived. When I left there was none. I threw the stones on the shore .. but could do little for the burnt grass. I hate people who leave these behind them as much as I hate litter louts. I didn't bother with a fire at all at Loch Laxford..it was lovely warm evenings ..and the setting sun was the centre piece in my camp.

Rant over ..

I enjoyed three nights at the boathouse and was disturbed by no one. I passed my time playing on the shore ..walking the hills ..and doing a little fishing. I caught absolutely nothing ..butt that did not matter in the slightest.

After my stay at Loch Laxford... I went to ..

Well... you will need to come back to find that out......