18 Jul 19: nature walk at Rubha Hunish

This re-scheduled walk was billed as

"A whale/dophin spotting outing with something for everyone!  Wonderful views of the outer islands.  Minki whales in the Minch.  Geological outcrops and seabirds along the cliffs.  Extensive deserted village at Erisco, plus ruins of Duntulm Castle.  Tea and cake at Kilmalaug at the end of the walk"

- naturally, it was that final sentence that drew me!  

Nine of us set off from the parking space near Duntulm, along a fairly well-trodden path. 

Some discussion about this curious pool of water.  Natural or artificial?  Is that a coffin stone or a fallen standing-stone?  

Nothing, so far as we can find, on any archaeology site, so it will have to remain a mystery for now.

Plenty of other signs of early occupation such as earth-bank field boundaries

Scotch Argus / Erebia aethiops

- and of course the wildlife that we had come to look for.

The cottages of the coastguard-hut-keepers are near the main road, so the trek to the lookout must have been something of a challenge in bad weather.  There was a series of these post-stumps in the final stretch: could they have been markers, perhaps even linked by a rope, to guide them away from the cliff-edge?

Half the group went to survey the Minch from the delights of the (ex Coastguard Hut, now Mountain Bothy) while 5 waited for a walker and his bicycle to clamber up ...

before they could descend ...

... and head towards the rock-stack ...

... to enjoy dolphins, seals, nesting sea birds, and a pigeon (!) amidst terns, shags and gulls, 

not to mention lots of those LBT's (little brown things) that delight when near once intensively cultivated land.

Meanwhile, those who stayed on the cliffs had been gazing down on the remnants of a flourishing kelp industry by the shore - the little stone circles may have been used for kelp-burning.

Then, the two groups reunited strolled back along the same path, now considerably busier with other walkers,

past the straggling remains of Erisco to the cars, and so to nearby Kilmalaug and Phil's excellent home-baking - every bit as good as advertised!

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?

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?