21 May 19 - Nature Walk at Leitir Fura, Kinloch Forest

Rather a damp and midgey walk at Leitir Fura forest today. 

Cut short in the end but not until we managed to make it down to the lochside next to the remote cottage that can be seen from the roadside past Kinloch Lodge. 

Not a huge amount of wildlife but walking a new trail thanks to Steve T. proved very entertaining. 

Steve is a great one to have on any walk as his skills in spotting the unusual are extraordinary.

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Not long after we started we were called to see a dragonfly that has not long emerged from its exuvia which could be seen on the branch underneath it. 

 It was trying to dry itself out but as can be seen by the photos wasn't being very successful. 

However we checked again about an hour or so later and a marked change was clearly visible. 

Pignut

Peppered Moth

Thanks to Colin for arranging and Steve for pointing the way!

14 May 19 - Trundlers excursion to Raasay

The Trundlers go underground!

What a fantastic day. Glorious sunshine and when out of the slight breeze really warm.

A small but classy group travelled over on the ferry enjoying the sun and the views on the top deck.

We decided to take the harbour walk around the bay and up onto the small hill overlooking Skye which was looking spectacular and very clear.

We continued around the coast and dropped down to the beach side to continue northwards until we reached the next headland. 

We then took the path unto the road and walked back towards Raasay House stopping off at the Pictish stone. Quite surprisingly this is now fully in the open due to the felling of the forest surrounding it and gave it a very different feel. 

We then decided to follow the road back to visit the new cafe called The Larch Cafe just by the Silver Grasshopper and before the Distillery. This has just opened and has to be recommended. There are 2 picnic tables and a bench at the moment but plans are to increase the seating area as the season progresses. The range of food is good, made on the premises and very tasty. Very well priced and good value. We spent a long time there passing the time of day. 

We had a chat with the RAF Mountain rescue teams who dropped in on their way back over. They had come over to search for the missing Raasay man who still has not been found sadly. Once lunch was over we visited the Distillery visitor centre (had to be done) and all were impressed. I treated myself to a bottle of the Raasay - While We Wait ... just to be going on with. The staff are very friendly and the building is great. 

On the way back to the ferry GR suggested we go and find the souterain which we duly did and were surprised at how accessible it was and 3 of us ventured in to explore the inner depths. We returned on the 3.30 ferry feeling very pleased with ourselves. Why don't you join us for the next one?

8 May 19 - Walk to the Point of Sleat

See the walk route on the excellent WalkHighlands site.

Looking back to Aird.

Everything about this walk was spectacular (well perhaps not the walk back up the hills!) The weather, the company, the scenery, the beach and most of all the clarity of the weather. Most certainly the clearest we have ever seen Rum and the islands with the Rum Cuillin in full glory with each detail easily discernible. 

Nine members met in Broadford and squeezed (with four-legged Jessie) into two cars, with two others making their own way there.  Just as well we didn't take any more, since we arrived at the Aird road end carpark to find it very nearly full, which was a surprise to most of us. These tourist were however walkers not just photo takers, so lots of lovely conversations on the way.

Moooving well!

We set off in fine weather with a breeze which made walking a real pleasure.

Camas Daraich beach

A slow walk to the base camp on the most glorious of beaches and a welcome lunch. 

Five of us then continued to the Point of Sleat lighthouse to experience the wonderful views from the 5 sisters to Ardnamuchan, the small isles and the southern Hebridean island. Charlie was disappointed not to have seen the seals but made up for it with a Minkie whale sighting in a good calm sea. 

- then  back to link up with the rest of the group who were a little chilly on our return (too much sunbathing we think!) 

The walk back was a bit tortuous but once the first long hill had been overcome we all made it back in good time. A very good day had by all.

23 Apr 19 - Storr Lochs Nature Group Walk

See the WalkHighland Storr Lochs to Portree route here

What a wonderful day to get away from it all.  

We drove to the east side today and witnessed some of the early tourist season chaos as a tour bus had partially come off the road just before Storr Lochs trying to find a parking spot - presumably to that his passengers didn't have to walk across the road from the pull off area on the left!   

Then the queues and off road parking at the Storr itself with the continuous stream walking up to the pinnacle. 

The view back as we walked upwards and away from the parking spot. The cars can be seen at the Storr.

Instead, we turned right at the end of the Storr Loch and parked by the bridge to continue walking to the cliff and the head of Berreraig Bay before turning south towards Portree. The weather was superb for walking, warm with a little breeze but we still needed to take it steady with regular breaks to take in the views as we ascended to the highest point. 

Looking down on some of the ruins in what was a very fertile and well populated area.
Holm Island and signs of a family who worked the land - poignant that in the Granary of Skye late 18th until mid 19th century
upwards of 21,000 people eked out a living

Not a lot of nature visible but we saw a group of Kayakers wending their way northwards below us an had good views of the old house ruins below. 

We stopped for a welcome lunch on a highspot overlooking Rona, Fladda and the Ardnish on the North of Rassay. 

At the lunch spot .... Colin announced "Submarine" - probably felt a "thar she blows" was inappropriate!!!

Views to the mainland were a little hazy but enough to follow Colin's cry of Submarine! to see a Trident Sub on slow manoeuvres proceeding to the east side of the islands. After a lengthy rest and some good banter, we raised our cups of tea and coffee to say thanks to John Kennedy for planning the walk and thought of him down in St Helens having recently completed the sale of his house. 

We decided to return inland as it was a little flatter and the dry weather meant it should be less boggy, which on the whole it did. 

Lousewort (Pedicularis sp.)

As a secondary mission I was looking for "David's hole" which I was shown on my Skye Trail walk some time ago. It is a cave with a river and a natural water trough away from the coast. Needless to say the search was fruitless. 

We did see a few Divers on the Loch but light was not good enough to see if they were red or black but percentage wise almost certainly red.

We reached our starting point in good time after an excellent walk where we saw no-one on the hills and with superb company.