An easy circuit from Evanton which visits the shores of the Cromarty Firth as well as Kiltearn Church.
Summary
Quiet roads, paths and tracks. Short, wetter section by shore can be inaccessible at very high tide.
Terrain
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1. Park in the car park opposite the Cornerstone Bookshop in the centre of Evanton. There is an information board giving details on a number of short walks from here. To begin the walk, turn left out of the car park and follow the road past the Balconie Inn, continuing to the war memorial at the road junction. To avoid any more of the main road, turn right here up the minor road past the school. At the last of the houses, turn left onto an even smaller minor road; this soon crosses the main road at a cross-roads - keep straight on (there is a footpath sign marked 'Kiltearn Church'. The minor road has very little traffic and crosses first the railway and then the A9 over bridges.
2. Look out for Fyrish Monument which is in view on the hilltop to the north. As the road reaches the shore of the Cromarty Firth - with the Black Isle seen opposite – it curves left. Seals can sometimes be seen swimming just offshore; they often bask on rocks along the coast to the west and are visible from the main A9. Continue along the road, passing the impressive former Manse, which is now a guest house.
3. Just beyond is the old, ruined parish church of Kiltearn. The large graveyard here is fascinating to explore; the graves include several to Polish, Canadian and Australian soldiers dating from the second World War. Back outside the graveyard, the walk continues from the end of the road by heading round the shoreline. The sea has washed away parts of the path and this section is impassable at high tide. However, usually it is possible to continue round the coast to reach a high wooden bridge with only some wet ground to negotiate.
4. You can detour to nearby Balconie Point, passing an old stone ruin, by continuing along the coast from here; otherwise turn left across the bridge and follow the path through the woodland on the far bank. It emerges on a track and passes between a large converted barn and a house; and a little further on a waterworks. Beyond the waterworks keep right (on the tarmac lane) rather than straight ahead on the smaller track. Soon you should cross the A9 on another bridge and emerge in a back lane of Evanton. Continue straight ahead to reach Balconie Street; then turn left to return to the car.
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