This attractive walk combines sections alongside the broad River Conon and a circuit around Dunglass Island - once the site of a fort. The return is along a fine avenue of trees with views over the Cromarty Firth.
Summary
Paths along farm fields and the riverside; return is on an attractive track. Can be muddy in places.
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1. There is a signed parking area on a bridge near the war memorial at the north end of Maryburgh, there is a also a map of local walks here. Walk back along the main street towards Conon Bridge, passing the shop and keeping on the pavement on the right when the main road diverges to the left across the railway and river. Staying on the near side of the railway follow the path into Seaforth Place and keep straight on. Follow the road as it bends right and heads uphill. Approximately half way up the hill go up a few steps on the left side into Muirdean Road. Turn left at the junction and then keep straight ahead on Muirdean Road when the main road bends right. Continue round to the right to the end of the road and then follow the grassy pathway between the houses and the railway line.
2. Ignore the footbridge to the left and keep straight ahead on the path. The grassy path comes close to and runs parallel to Stuarthill Drive; keep across the grass with the railway on your left to eventually reach a stile. Do not cross the pedestrian level crossing but keep on the clear path now following the edge of the fields, keeping the trees on your left. Follow this path along the field edge for about 1km. Don't be tempted to follow any small paths down towards the riverbank on the left as these are often flooded in places. Eventually the bridge to Dunglass Island is reached.
3. Cross the bridge onto the island and follow the path to the left around the edge of the field. The island stands in the middle of two sections of the River Conon and was once the site of an iron age fort. The route round the north end of the island has an impassable water channel, so before reaching the trees at the far end follow the path which cuts across the narrowest part of the field to the bushes over to the right. Cross the burn and then turn left along the far bank. The path soon reaches the other side of the island and follows the riverbank. Here there are green marker posts, follow these to keep to the path nearest the riverside, although if this is too wet underfoot or flooded it is possible to follow the track at the edge of the field instead.
4. The path soon reaches a bench and the weir, keep following the riverside path. Where the water is slower there are a number of fishing spots on this popular salmon river and a fishing hut is passed. Further on the riverside path crosses a channel on a bridge, sometimes the access to the bridge is waterlogged and it is possible cut right up to a track and then turn left along this instead. Otherwise cross the bridge and continue along the path to reach the large fishing hut and weir at the south end of the island. In dry weather it is possible to short-cut the walk by crossing the weir, though the rocks can be slippery. Usually it is better to follow the track back to the bridge and after crossing, turn left to continue along the field edge nearest the river.
5. Soon the path comes back by the river bank near the weir, with the farmhouse and cottages at Balnain on the hillside on the right. The riverside path passes some large oak trees and then climbs up to a higher bank. It eventually keeps to the right of a small wood, leaving the river behind. Where a stile heads into the woods take a right turn to follow a faint path along an earth bank with a hedge on the left uphill.
6. This emerges at a track, bear left to follow the minor road up towards Brahan House. At a clear crossroads turn right onto a track, passing an attractive cottage (the left turn leads to Brahan House and the caravan site). Follow the straight track through an avenue of trees with Broad Wood on the right. Keep following the track, after a while there are good views over the Cromarty Firth ahead. The track re-enters the wood, keep straight on, ignoring a signed path to the left.
7. Where the path forks just after a metal gate, keep right to head down through the wood to the backs of houses. The path soon emerges onto a road, turn left here and follow it until a T junction. Turn left again to follow the road around the park curving right and passing the primary school before reaching the main road at the war memorial. Turn left here to return to the parking area.
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