This short coastal excursion visits an old healing well, passing excellent beaches along the way.
Summary
Mostly beach and grassy path; the path is rough towards the well.
Terrain
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1. Park at the beach car park in Shandwick. This is reached by turning down a very narrow lane (signed 'Beach') from the main street. Begin the walk by turning right from the car park (facing the sea) and following a path along the grass above the beach. The beach itself is a magnificent stretch of sand, bounded at its western end by Ballintore harbour.
2. Continue along the grassy path for some distance, ignoring a wooden stile on the right. The grass becomes tall marram grass and the path more overgrown as you continue, and it becomes easier to walk on the sands alongside. Be careful to keep glancing to the fence on the right, as you could easily miss the crucial stile, marked by a tall wooden post emblazoned with the 'two seagulls' logo. Cross the style and turn left on the grassy path on the far side, which gives easy going. At the end of the field the path crosses another stile.
3. Beyond the stile is a home-made wooden bench, complete with comic 'bus stop' sign. The route on from here isn't obvious; it leaves the seat by ascending diagonally a little to continue at a slightly higher level. A little further on the path is protected by a rope and mesh fence. The path surface is badly worn in places and care is needed.
4. The path now descends to reach another home-made seat, this time with a table made from an old barrel. Continue down to the shore on a path now bounded by a drystone wall; a very short distance further is Tobar na Slainte or the Well of Health. This consists of a small stone-trough built on a water source. According to local folklore water from the well, if 'silvered' by the addition of a silver coin to a ladel-full, could cure one who had been cursed by the 'Evil Eye' or ill-luck. The cure only worked if the person who brought them the water made the journey to and from the well without speaking to another soul - so if you've met anyone who didn't return your greeting, they may have an excuse.
5. Whilst the well is unspectacular, it has a beautiful situation on its own secluded sandy beach, well hidden from houses and roads. The sea however can only be reached across rocks. To return to Shandwick, go back the same way. When leaving the village, be sure to stop and visit the remarkable Pictish scultped stones nearby. One is close by the road climbing from the west end. It is easy to spot as it has had a glass enclosure built round it to protect it from erosion; the stone dates from 780AD and the carvings are exquisite. There is another fine stone just east of Shandwick at Hilton of Cadboll.
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