Ormond Castle, Avoch

DINGWALL, THE BLACK ISLE AND STRATHCONON


Summary :	A circular walk visiting a couple of interesting historical sites; there are views across the Moray firth and of the RSPB reserve of Munlochy Bay.
Terrain :	The first part of the walk is part of a reasonably waymarked circuit; the extension to the Cloutie well is pathless.
Grade :		Distance :	6km/3.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	2 - 2.5 hours
Start :	Parking on the seafront at the southern end of Avoch.	Grid ref :	NH698543
Map :	View an OS map showing this route Buy Explorer 432 - Black Isle online	Ascent :	154m
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1. Turn off the main road at through Avoch and follow the road southwards along the shore, parking at the end of the houses where the road turns away from the shore uphill. Avoch is an old fishing village with many tiny and quaint cottages. Continue on foot up the minor road which climbs away from the shore, well sheltered by trees. At the top of the slope there's a wooden footpath sign. Turn left here (signed for 'Ormond Castle') along a tree-lined track.

2. When the track reaches Castleton Farm, go through the gate on the left (there's a blue arrow waymarker on the gate post). This leads to a grassy track, aiming just left of the prominent flagpole-crowned artificial mound, and passing through another gate. The track rounds to the back of the mound, where a small gate on the right gives access to the path up the mound. The mound is the site of Ormond Castle, which was once one of the largest in all the Highlands, though little remains today. It was built in the twelfth century and was the home of the De Moray family. In 1297 Andrew De Moray raised his standard here to rally his forces before marching to the support of William Wallace. From the flagpole and cairn at the top of the mound, there is a good view over the Moray Firth and back down to Avoch.

3. Return back down from the mound to the small gate, and continue along the track into the forestry. When we did this walk in 2007, the track was partially blocked by fallen trees but it was still possible to get through - the trees may now have been cleared. The trees block the views of the Firth, though there is a brief glimpse of it from a wooden seat. Towards the end of the forest, ignore the waymarked track off to the right, and just before leaving the forest turn left onto a smaller, muddier track.

4. This track winds downhill through the woods, emerging from the trees at a gate. Pass through the gate into the field by the shores of Munlochy Bay, turning sharp right through the field to continue on a faint path close to the coast. Munlochy Bay is a pretty sea-inlet with vast mud flats revealed at low tide; it is a great place for birdwatching and is in fact an RSPB reserve. Continue on the faint path, passing through a gate and continuing to a second gate where the trees slope right down to the shore. Go through this second gate, and then slant uphill to the right - passing between two trees which have 'Well' written on them in white paint.

5. You'll soon reach a wood and stone walkway and a tree draped with bits of old rag, whilst just beyond is a natural well or spring. 'Cloutie wells’ were - or are - a survival of the age-old veneration of life-giving springs. Those suffering from illness hung a rag by the spring in the hope that their disease would decay along with the rag. There's a much better known 'Cloutie well' on the south side of the main road between Munloch and Tore, where there are hundreds of rags. From the well, head up through the trees, sloping right a little to reach a gate. Go through the gate, and then head up diagonally right through the field ahead to reach another gate.

6. This gate leads to a track; turn right along it. You'll soon pass a house with beautiful gardens; continue ahead on the track which becomes a road near Ballone Farm. Just beyond here, the waymarked circuit rejoins our route from the right; continue straight ahead on the road, keeping right at the next junction. You'll soon be where you turned off for Ormond Castle earlier - continue downhill to the start in Avoch.

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