Explore a mixture of dunes, beach, riverside and moorland, taking in an iron-age broch on this circuit of Torrisdale Bay an area of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare plants and archaeological remains. The walk between the two glens can be hard to follow so navigation skills are needed for this short section.
Summary
Coastal path, steep climb to broch, moorland pathless section - navigation skills needed, beach and riverside.
Terrain
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1. There is often space for one car near the houses at the end of the road to Invernaver, just off the A836 south-west of Bettyhill. Alternatively there is parking just east of the bridge over the River Naver back along the A836 towards Bettyhill. From here walk west along the main road and turn right to Invernaver and follow this to the end of the road. From here start the walk by going through the metal pedestrian gate near the last house. Once in the field bear left up over a rise to meet a faint track heading to the shore.
2. Follow this faint track, either on the sand or closer inland depending on the state of the tide, following the course of a line of telegraph poles. There are stepping stones to cross a small stream. Before a large area of raised beach and dunes ahead, take a path heading up a cleft in the hill on the left. Keep following the telegraph poles and stay on the left side of the stream where there is a faint path. Keep an eye out for the distinctive shape of the broch on top of a nobble on the far side of the stream - from here it looks like a large pile of stones.
3. When level with the site of the broch cross the stream and climb to a col on the far side and then bear right to reach the broch itself. This cannot be seen until the last minute but is worth the effort. The double wall can still be seen of this defensive iron-age structure and its strategic position can be appreciated in fine views down the River Naver and out to sea over the sands at Torrisdale Bay. From the broch descend back to the path and continue heading upstream.
4. Once the ground levels off, cross the stream and follow a faint path through the heather, juniper and crowberry bushes to pass the side of Lochan Druim an Duin. The main path continues around the lochan, do not take this but keep following the line of telegraph poles across the moorland which is crisscrossed with tiny paths. Eventually the route descends a pass to the flat ground below and there is a better path for the descent. At the bottom follow the path which heads diagonally to the right across the grass until a wider path is reached, turn right to follow this.
5. After passing through a section of bracken the path heads through the dunes, keeping the steep ground to your right. After weaving through the dunes emerge on the extensive sands of Torrisdale Bay. Turn right to head across the sand back towards Bettyhill. At the far east side of the beach bear right to follow the mouth of the River Naver upstream.
6. At all but the highest tides it is possible to keep to the sandy and pebbly riverside, if necessary head up onto the raised beach where there are many archaeological features such as the remains of hut circles, cists and chambered cairns. Follow the River Naver until the outward route is picked up and retrace your steps over the field to the gate at Invernaver.
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