A lovely walk with plenty of good coastal views and varied interest. There are two steep sections and care is needed with children because of the steep cliffs nearby.
Summary
The walk mainly follows waymarked paths and tracks across farmland, the descent to the beach and cave is fairly steep.
Terrain
Car park on sea front at Cromarty.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. From the car park walk east along the Cromarty shore passing the pretty lanes of cottages. Keeping east, follow a short dog leg inland along Miller Road for a short distance before reaching a lone cottage on the left. Here turn left following a path signed for South Sutor. The path soon reaches the shore where you turn right following a sign for Cromarty circular walk. The path follows the shore for some distance giving good views over the Cromarty firth and the wild coastline opposite. You may well see dolphins or sometimes huge ships being escorted to the massive dry docks at Nigg.
2. Keep on the coast path, passing a single house which disguises the town's sewage station and keep following the sign for South Sutor. From here, at low tide,you can see Clach Malloch in the sea, a huge erratic boulder left behind by the glaciers of the last ice age. The path now begins to climb up through woodland via a series of steps some of which are quite steep - there are a number of well placed benches to provide rest spots.
3. The path stops climbing amid some large beech trees and the remains of world war two lookouts. The path now curves round the headland providing some lovely views. Eventually you climb up some final steps and emerge out of the woodland at a parking area. Turn left following the sign for McFarquhar's Bed. Ignore the farm gate to the left and go up the track ahead quickly reaching a farm gate and kissing gate which you go through and after heading uphill for 10 metres branch off to the left across farmland following a fairly clear path. The grassy path traverses the hillside giving lovely views over the Moray firth. Continue through a farm gate and go straight on where a higher track joins from above.
4. The track continues through fields and gorse bushes before reaching a farm gate which you go through and continue straight ahead for a short distance. You now reach two gates at angles to each other and no signs. Go through the first gate and then immediately turn left and go through the second gate so that you are facing the coast and an avenue of mature beech trees. Follow this line of trees down to the cliff edge. Here there is a sign pointing back up to Cromarty. Cross the fence where the remains of a stile can be seen and follow the path to the right of the sign to the edge of the cliff. You can now see the beach and McFarquhar's bed and cave below.
5. The path down the cliff is easy to follow and not exposed but is steep in places. Once down at the cove you pass the remains of two fishing huts to explore the cave and arch to the right. There is also a small cave to the left. Retrace your steps to the top of the cliff an climb back up the avenue of trees and once through the gate keep straight on towards Mains Farm passing through a field, where there is sometimes a bull, on the way.
6. Continue on the track passed the houses on your left and then turn right and then immediately left to follow a minor road downhill signed for Cromarty. This road winds down the hillside with glimpses of Cromarty House to the left, especially through the impressive private tunnel that provides an access to the house, and eventually brings you back to Miller Road from where you can explore fascinating Cromarty on your way back to the car park.
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