25 Jun 19 - Kingsburgh Forest Nature Walk

Only three of us could make the walk up Glen Hinnisdal - a shame as it was lovely, a bit windy but quite warm. 

Starting at the entrance gates (NG398572), just by the Hinnisdal Bridge

Walked as far as we could up the forest track, 

which ended at a gate with a fence across it at NG437 581. 

Nice views over the moorland up towards the cloud covered Trotternish Ridge 

and the waterfalls.

Picnic lunch by the River crossing near the end of the walk.

Not much wildlife around apart from the usual Hoodies, a Cuckoo, (heard but not seen), Small heath butterflies (too quick to photo), a spider 

and a Green Tiger Beetle spotted by Colin.

12 Jun 2019 - Duirinish nr. Plockton (combined Nature and Walking groups)

See walk route and description on WalkHighlands

Level crossing near Duirinish Station

Great afternoon spent with 11 of us enjoying the sunny weather at Durinish and Drumuie,

topped off with a good but rather short sighting of a feeding otter in exactly the spot where DH said they might be!

 Dactylorhiza x formosa

Lovely walk around the coast with a varied landscape and habitats.

They tried to avoid temptation but in the end succumbed!

As we completed the walk in good time we decided to visit Plockton Coral Beach which was new to us all. We parked near the airfield and walked down to a beautiful cove with, true to its name a coral beach. Slightly different from the Skye one near Dunvegan in the type of coral being found on the beach. We spent a lovely hour enjoying the sunshine and watching the wee fella racing in and out of the sea with a few other dogs.

Great day and finished with a coffee and cake at the new Croft Café on the outskirts of Durinish ... well worth a stop.

Brent geese?