As I was in the area I decided to complete my penultimate stage of this long distance route. The forecast was for persistent rain arriving at lunchtime but in reality it sadly came much earlier.
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| Right after shop |
I started from the car park in Invermoriston, heading along the Skye road turning right at the craft shop on the far side of the road.
Now follow the lane as it quickly climbs via the zig zag route and soon there are good views back down to Invermoriston.
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| Diversion |
I was taking the High Route so I followed this diversion, not sure how new it is but the path is straightforward.
The path skirts the moor (deer fence all the way) before entering the wooded area for the next stretch. Still mostly climbing before it starts to descend steeply before rising again, a feature of the first half of this walk.
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| Autumn woodland |
As I leave the woods the rain comes on, lightly at first and then heavier and that was it for the day.
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| Wood and stone sculpture |
Out on the moor an open landscape, good views and a nice surprise reaching the artistic sculpture in wood and stone. Some pheasants are sitting in the tree beside it undisturbed by my passing. Maybe the shooting we can hear means ‘stay put’ to them.
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| Plenty of these on route |
This area has been deforested and as I descended I look at the hill ahead to my left and spot a track near the summit. Then it clicks that is where I am heading, why am I descending?
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| Ornate bridge |
On this descent it crosses this lovely ornate wooden bridge, a real feature to remember.
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| Colour on a drab day |
Thankfully the next uphill is once again a zig-zag route so just keep on going as it steeply climbs. Finally I reach the top section as it curves the south flank of Creag Dhearg. If you thought about climbing it forget that as a large deer fence needs to be climbed.
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| Finally a sighting of Loch Ness |
Now I am at the viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness, which no doubt is an excellent spot on a nice day, lesser so today in the rain.
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| Mid point |
Sadly there has been limited sight of Loch Ness today and once again the route heads inland. The path is straightforward but it is becoming a bit of a trudge.
Indeed after the Pottery turn it becomes a road march for the next three miles not so enjoyable.
cafe). Here turn right and follow an off road path on the left side of the narrow road.
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| Moorland to Drumnadrochit |
After views of the moor the route goes away from the road for the descent into Drumnadrochit but in reality still a lot more tarmac walking.
A walk of two halves the first being much more enjoyable than second. Also the amount of ascent was a bit surprising, I know read the route properly, this was meant to be a leg warm up for 4 Munros over the next two days, indeed it was.One major gripe was that for almost the whole walk someone had dropped a used tissue roughly every mile. I would love to ask that person why they go to the effort of being out in our great landscape and spoil it in this way, sad unthinking people.
Now just the final section to do and an excuse to come back next month.
That’s if the one bus per afternoon turns up and gets me back to my car at Invermoriston.
Wildlife: Grouse, Pheasant, Wheatear, Stonecat.
Time: 5.21
Ascent: 735m
Distance: 23.6k
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