I left Sango Bay, Durness and drove east. What a wonderfully scenic bit of coastline; I managed to see some of it through the mist and rain. On reaching Loch Eriboll I headed south along it’s western shore got to it’s head and headed north up the eastern side. This is a rewarding journey as I got to see myself coming back. Twenty minutes later I was trundling in an easterly direction and all was well with the world. I crossed the foot of Loch Hope and started climbing a steep hill, just after the second hairpin bend, I saw a sign for Altnaharra, checked the mirrors and in a style reminiscent of Starsky and Hutch slung a right. It took not a hundred yards before I was querying this decision. The road is tarmac, half of it is, the middle third and the edges are grass and weed.
This was a grand mistake. I had to reverse a hundred yards a couple of times but the views of Loch Hope on my right and the slopes of Ben Hope sliding into the mist on my left were adequate compensation.
I started the long climb up and around the southern shoulder of Ben Hope and had to wait ten minutes while the council moved an excavator that was engaged in ditch digging. I didn’t know whether it was highways policy to dig out the ditch and drop it on the road so it seemed churlish to argue with the system after they had shown such tolerance to a stupid tourist. It made for a slippery mile and I hope I don’t have to go under the truck for a while.
As I dropped downhill towards Altnaharra there are the remains of a Broch. These are not a rare sight but this one looked to be about two thirds complete; usually they look like a large pile of big stones. I couldn’t stop to admire it as the bit of layby come passing place was full of motorhome…….A damn nuisance are ‘Grockle Shells’, forever cluttering up the countryside.
Two hours and twenty five minutes later I arrived at the deserted township of Grummore which lies a mile east of Altnaharra on the northern shore of Loch Naver. A most enjoyable forty five mile trip which, with clement weather could have taken all day.
I’ve no internet so That’s it for day one.
I read these in reverse order. Go figure. It sounds like you had a good time. I'm trying to follow your thoughts from Starsky and Hutch to Uma Thurman but no luck with that yet.
ReplyDeleteDavid, its not you it's me. If I stack posts and post backwards they don't read properly later. Blogger is just a diary....like Twitter but for literate folk.
DeleteI've only once been up there Adrian and that was long ago. The road down Loch Eribol has probably not changed much since it was first tar sealed. I keep telling myself that I must re-visit but unfortunately I never listen to what I say or, if I do, I take absolutely no heed. So I'll enjoy it through your eyes and lens: for now at least.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I'm here or here abouts for at least a couple of years. It is a wonderous place.
DeleteYou took me on a nice trip. I keep saying, you are in a beautiful area.Getting off the beaten track is where you see some great scenery.
ReplyDeleteRed, I'm happy...the Black Dog still visits for a day or two but no worries the wind chases him away,
DeleteSure is beautiful countryside. Great shot of the motorhome on the lake. Love the history and the Broch. Saw something like it on Time Team. I think they called it a Cairn.
ReplyDeleteHorst, the trouble with blogging is repeating oneself, No worries, It's a Broch.
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