An excellent circuit taking in the historic buildings of Dornoch, the world famous golf course, and the bracing sandy shore to the pier at Embo and back to Dornoch. This walk can be linked to the Dornoch Point walk by continuing along the shore instead of returning to the town at the Lifeboat Station.
Summary
Clear paths, tracks and minor roads with optional section along the beach.
Terrain
Users'
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1. From the main junction in the centre of Dornoch walk north along the A949 (Bridge Street). Just before you reach the old station building, cross the road to the right and follow some steps through woods signed for Embo. Keep on the path to the left, following the fence also on your left that goes above and round the back of a large house, then keep going on the path until you reach the kissing gate at the road. At a kissing gate cross the road and follow the path through another gate onto another woodland path. Follow the broad path and turn left then right at signs for Embo via Earl's Cross.
2. The path follows the edge of a field for a short distance and then enters an area of gorse. At a fork keep straight ahead. Soon a stone grave is reached. This marks the resting place of a man who was brought to Dornoch for burial at a time when plague was sweeping the nation. His body was refused entry and he was buried on this spot. Although harsh, this policy may have kept Dornoch free of cholera in 1832, a year when thousands died throughout Britain.
3. A little further on turn left at a fork following the yellow arrow sign. Soon you reach Earl's Cross. This is a large boundary stones which features the shields of the Earl of Sutherland and the Bishop of Caithness who controlled the lands to the north and south respectively. Keep following the path to the left, do not head towards the sea and the path nearer to the golf course. Soon you reach the route of the old railway line, continue northwards until you reach a white house. Here turn sharp right behind the house and walk along a stony track with the golf course on the right hand side.
4. When a gate blocks the track, cross the wooden stile and descend the track to the golf course with the caravan park and pier at Embo in view. At the end of the golf course go through the metal gate and then the wooden gate to follow a narrow grassy path towards Embo. Follow this path all the way to the caravan park where you can cross the stream before turning immediately right to continue on the shore path to the pier.
5. You can either return to the edge of the golf course by the same route or follow the sand, crossing the stream on stepping stones. The path follows the edge of the golf course and is marked by red posts. Keep to the left on a grassy path when the main track crosses the centre of the course. The route soon returns to a track and you follow this to the southern end of the golf course. Fork left at a junction and pass round the back of one of the tees. Keeping near the coast all the time. Go up to the car park and lifeboat station at the end of the course. The walk can be extended to Dornoch Point from here by going down the steps to the beach and continuing in the same direction - the route described on the linked walk is picked up by crossing the stream as it flows over the beach. Otherwise, follow the road and keep straight on at a T-junction and continue past the clubhouse to return to the square in the centre of Dornoch.
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