Cows! The road climbs a steep hill. I walk up the hill, passing a sign to an “Open Air Church”. I had hard Plockton was rather nice and it certainly seems that it is. The road emerges from woodland, and swings inland, running alongside an area of flat pastureland. I stand at the top of a slipway looking over the empty loch. ( Log Out /  JUST WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS® 17 amazing Stores across the Pacific Northwest & growing! Yes, it is 10 years this April. Been following your progress for quite a while now around the Scottish part of your walk. The coastal scenery here is some of the best in Scotland, with an impressive series of sea caves, arches and blow holes to enjoy before you get to the Bullers of Buchan itself. There are plenty of empty fields around, but…. The spaniel reminds me of my daughter’s crazy spaniel, Lottie. Still, it’s a very pleasant walk, and a lovely change from road walking. Luckily, the cattle keep munching their grass and totally ignore me. I think of my husband and how he would enjoy this area, but then remember he is soon to be my ex-husband, and I push him away from my thoughts. Time for a snack too. Yes, I do ache more. Over the bridge, and I’m entering the village of Achmore. Plockton hold their Plockton Small Boat Sailing annual regatta on the last week of July and the first week of August. Plockton is a idyllic stopover for anyone touring the west coast in a boat. ( Log Out /  I wonder how ruined it will be and whether there is public access. My theory is that maybe some days we have an underlying illness or infection which is so mild we don’t notice it normally, but when it comes to exercising only then does it start to affect us, making mild exercise like walking harder, and hard exercise impossible… am I talking rubbish? Yes, this is a very beautiful area. he trains are infrequent. I was planning to have my picnic lunch here and start looking around for a suitable stone to sit on – but then I spot something moving. I pass a couple of squashed hedgehogs (now a rare sight on English roads) and bushes of raspberry plants covered with juicy fruit. So, I guess this is somewhere where local people can release their livestock in a shared area of pastures. Crazy things. On a bend in the drive, I find another old building. Stones? Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts. This exciting 11-day walking tour of the islands also includes a walk-in amongst the otherworldly landscape of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye on our last day, culminating with an overnight stay in the picturesque coastal village of Plockton back on the mainland. Scenic coastal wildlife walk high above the sea. The rest I stuck to the road like you. Hope your mum enjoys the blog post, and hope it brings back happy memories. This must be Duirinish, I guess (my map doesn’t give the place a name). It’s strange that tiredness thing isn’t it. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Drambuie? I cross a stile, walk over a hummock of rocky ground, and spot the railway line. I stop halfway over the bridge, and take a photo looking down at little Duirinish village. Probably, I usually do!. High hills to my right. A little further along, the path joins a track. It’s well camouflaged by the seaweed and surrounding rocks, so it takes me a minute or two to understand what I’m looking at – a baby seal. I walk to the end of the road, and go down to the pier where, according to my map, you can take a boat trip. My only concern is walking on the actual road… did you have any problems with passing cars? I park The Beast in Plockton. I love the views, especially the first two . From the station, I was planning to follow the road down to the shore, to a place called Portneora, where I was half-hoping I might find a coastal footpath. There’s no sign of the wandering Maisie today. “The Jewel of the Highlands.”. St Abb’s Head: Seabird CitySt Abb’s Head, Scotland (Shutterstock) Dramatic headlands, coastal hills … With the sun in my eyes, photography is difficult, and the place would look much nicer with the tide in. I’m breathless from rushing up the hill, not wanting to miss the train, and am disconcerted to discover I’m the only person on the platform. One of the cows started to run towards me. It’s a bit overgrown, but will make a nice change from road walking. The next village is just below me… I check my map… Drambuie. Locally landed seafood and Plockton brewed ale can be enjoyed all year round in several nearby award-winning inns and restaurants. Like pictures of bulls on field gates, are they meant as a warning? Hi Eunice. a cargo ship sails slowly past. From the bridge, I take another photograph of Plockton station. ], https://glasgowgallivanter.com/2019/11/18/plockton-duncraig-castle/, Maria’s story: scary encounter with an unsettled cow, Cheryl’s story: blocked footpaths and a ruined walk. Plockton is gorgeous. I begin to pass silhouettes of animals stuck onto trees. Ah, there’s the castle ahead. I wake up to scattered clouds and a blue sky, and a wonderful view from my campervan looking down over Loch Carron. This always makes me worry. I did this walk today and not much has changed since you did it. I turn left along the track and discover Duncraig Station. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I never knew that (even if they are not the best). Glad you liked Duirinish. ( Log Out /  I really like this children’s playpark. This walk you have done must be one of the most beautiful i have seen. A dog comes bounding out of a door, barking ferociously, and is called back by someone inside. I love the seal and the llama on the lawn . ( Log Out /  It is always worrying when there is nobody else there on the platform or the bus stop when you alone have reserached and concluded that transport is due. This exciting 11-day walking tour of the islands also includes a walk-in amongst the otherworldly landscape of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye on our last day, culminating with an overnight stay in the picturesque coastal village of Plockton back on the mainland. Beyond the tunnel is a steep slope covered in metal mesh to prevent landslides, and another message – on a startlingly pink sign – tells me to beware of falling rocks. Nearby, is a big grey box from which you can buy free-range eggs. A sign welcomes me to the Balmacara Estate, which I find a bit confusing, as I’ve already passed through Balmacara. I was very excited by the thought of palm trees in Scotland, but they turn out to be underwhelming. But you were always just that bit ahead of us. I wonder how many people use that platform? I’m using the train tomorrow, and don’t need an electric hookup tonight, as I don’t have to charge my Scooty bike. Looking at the map again, there is no sign of a path and, I realise, I would end up on the wrong side of a little river anyway. Famously, it has palm trees. Unfortunately a big problem was the weather and transport. The platform is already crowded with people waiting to board for the return journey. The last place I walked on the coast with a station was Thurso and that is a long way around from Plockton (and the station not very useful for walking the coast as the line then immediately goes inland). A mysterious message on a post…. Hang on. I watch a group of people embark on a little boat, and then stand and take more photographs of the beautiful view. I stop at the top of a hill, shrug off my rucksack, and perch on a tumbled-down wall. I suspect Paul is “onto something” as I have also had “lead legs days” when the physical fitness was theoretically there to easily manage the planned walk, but it just doesn’t happen. Yes, tiredness is a strange thing, and I know you too found a recent walk strangely difficult. There is plenty of information about Skye's wildlife. breakfast kippers at the Plockton Hotel (not to be confused with the Plockton … Is it generally safe? The main street is narrow, crowded with visitors, and lined by tourist shops, B&Bs, and parked cars. I check my watch. In the morning I went to Eilean Donan castle and then decided to do this walk later in the morning and into the afternoon in the hope the rain would ease (it didn’t) but at least most of the walk even the road bits is in woodland so I was partly sheltered from the rain. The minor road to Stromeferry is very quiet, and I soon reach the car park where my faithful Beast is waiting for me. Both my map and the railway station spell the place as two words: Strome Ferry. You are such an inspiration. Such glorious views. It’s a funny place to have a station because, apart from the cottage, there is nothing else around. Views to Kylerhea are stunning. One of the signposted walks starts on the opposite side of the A87 from the garden entrance. I do wonder if it will ever open (though the website does suggest they are taking bookings for 2021). There’s the railway track below me, and now the train from Kyle trundles past, heading back to Inverness. Now open to the public, but I have no idea how many people actually use it. A nonprofit community protecting trails. I was very excited by the thought of palm trees in Scotland, but they turn out to be underwhelming. I’ve used Duncraig station – when writing Remote Stations. Achmore is a one-street village, and soon passed through. Anyway, I start chatting to the man in yellow wellies. Beautiful place, and gorgeous scenery. It even provides the address and phone number of the owner. So I walk down a narrow path, pass under a railway bridge…. I stand at the crossroads and examine the sign. Change ). I walked up to the castle to see if I could get some water to clean it and the chap there very kindly gave me a lift to Broadford Hospital in the Isle of Skye, the nearest A&E. Well done for finding a coastal footpath at Drumbuie. After a late and leisurely breakfast, I pack up the The Beast, and then walk slowly down to Strome Ferry along the road. When I was younger I did athletics, 400 metres in particular, which is probably the highest energy-output distance of all – i’d get my heart rate up to 240bpm. The station at Kyle of Lochalsh is built out into the Loch like that so the boats to Skye could dock alongside the platform (before the bridge opened, of course). Now I’m walking through an area of woodland, along a muddy path lined with ferns. Round the bend, and the road slopes downhill. Heavy rain all day. Painted black, and without features, they look a bit ominous. The 1872 Heritage Railway Trail is a 9.8km return walk exploring the railway line between WA’s first ever timber mill, to it’s purpose built jetty in Rockingham. https://glasgowgallivanter.com/2019/11/18/plockton-duncraig-castle/, Yes, I’m still following your fascinating and often amusing blog! I did meet Maisie the dog too (the sign is still there) but she didn’t follow me. 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