A beautiful exploration of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, a haven for birds, deer and pine martens. This circular walk takes in the shoreline which has good mountain views and the scots pine and mixed woodland.
Summary
Clear path, forestry track and pebbly shoreline.
Terrain
Parking opposite entrance to Balblair Wood
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
None to Littleferry but the walk could be joined from Golspie by following a path along
the coastline and then following a lane up to the Littleferry road. Golspie is served by both buses and trains.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. From the parking area, take the signed path through the trees past the information boards. After a short while cross a small wooden bridge and continue through the trees. The Sutherland monument at the top of Ben Bhraggie is visible to the right here. Many nest boxes have been placed here and crested tits and Scottish crossbills both breed here. Further on where the water is visible through the trees on the left go straight ahead at a cross roads passing a set of wooden carved seats and table.
2. At a clear fork in the tracks, bear left until you reach a house at Balblair. Here you can choose whether to follow the path which runs through the woods with glimpses of the water and is marked by red marker posts or along the shore itself - the two routes join up later. For the woods path carry straight on past the house following the marker posts. To go down to the shoreline follow the faint path directly in line with the house straight out towards the water. Take care crossing the salt marsh which can be wet in places, three quarters of the way out bear right on a faint path to the pebbly shore where you continue heading right along the shore.
3. This area is a mecca for wading and seabirds such as oystercatchers, shelducks, widgeon, eider ducks, bar-tailed godwits and dunlins in the winter as well as numerous grey lag and pink-footed geese which use this as an overwintering spots. It is also a good spot to watch seals when the sand banks are exposed and you may catch sight of an elusive otter. Keep following the shore, this path is usually accessible all the way round except at the highest tides.
4. Follow the shore around two small headlands. Just before the tip of the second one, look out for a path heading slightly inland just after the last section of gorse. This is the red marker post path that you left earlier. The path emerges onto the shore and keeps along the edge of the pebbles. There are now good views to the head of Loch Fleet with the A9 bridge slanting up from the Mound, a causeway built by Thomas Telford in 1816.
5. Keep following the shoreline, there are good views of Creag Beag straight ahead and the larger mountains further inland. Once part way across the large bay look out for a marked path (red posts) heading inland to the right. Follow this through the trees back into Balblair wood. The path soon comes to a track, turn right here to follow it through young Scots Pine planted following the loss of much of the original trees in a storm.
6. This is a good area to spot deer and sometimes pine martens. There are three rare flowers that link this wood to others at the same latitude, these are creeping ladies tresses, twinflower, and one-flowered wintergreen which is also known as St Olaf's candlestick. Balblair Wood contains 90% of the UK's population of this rare plant. Continue following the track, going straight across at a cross roads with a treehouse lookout. At the fork keep straight on and eventually return over the footbridge and through the trees to the parking area at the start.
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