Sutherland Sands 2011

Today a split walk. Succumbing to the prospect of spending an extra day at Sandwood Beach, I foresake the Reay forest and the boggy shores of Loch Stack. Following Loch Glendhu all the way, with nice views of Quinag and the Kylesku bridge, I head for the A894 at Kylestrome, five miles away, where I catch the daily D&E minibus. On the bus, I meet the French girl from the Ullapool bus again, she's heading for Durness. So am I, but I'll be walking all the way from Kinlochbervie.

After a halt at the pub in Kinlochbervie for a few pints of heavy, I follow the B road through the crofts. Rather than heading straight for Sandwood however I first aim for Strathan, seven miles from Kinlochbervie, the last few miles along boggy moorland passing Loch Mor a Chraig and Loch Beag a Chraig before descending into Strath Shinary. The season was dry however, and the bog is easily passable. The Strathan bothy has been recently upgraded and is nicely located in its remote glen. Local fuel is available from the peat bank.

I enjoy the peat fire but must be careful when taking water for tea not to include tadpoles in it, the water from the well being full of these.