Walkhighlands

A walk at the Burg. Had a much more ambitious walk planned but had also promised to be home not too late and that need to catch the 5.10pm ferry combined with slow going over a boggy section constrained me a bit.

My original plan was to visit the fossil tree then try to find a way north from there up onto the cliff tops and loop back but I was running a bit late by the time I reached the start of the cliffs so decided to head up directly instead of along to the fossil tree.

Initially that seemed to be a poor decision as I had a mile of dull bog to cross before the scenery livened up a bit, first with a view of waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs ahead, then with views opening up to the boulder beach below and, at the end of the walk, a fine close up prospect of part of the same waterfalls. By which time it was 1pm and I had to weigh up the temptation to continue north against the row I would get if I got home late.

In retrospect both the shorter than planned walk and decision to stick to the 5.10 ferry as the alternatives were good choices as the original plan may have been very difficult to complete (with a sore stomach) and the later ferry would have necessitated a tiring early morning arrival home.

DSC03595 by John Little, on Flickr
Didn't have forty shillings on me so thought I'd better comply.

DSC03602 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC03605 by John Little, on Flickr
Decided at this point to head up instead of along. Along next time though.

DSC03617 by John Little, on Flickr
Bit of a dull and boggy trudge at the start.

DSC03621 by John Little, on Flickr
Glad to encounter something dramatic before running out of time.

DSC03622 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC03659c by John Little, on Flickr
Views opening up down to the bouldery beach.

DSC03673 by John Little, on Flickr
Such an uplifting sight.

DSC03675c by John Little, on Flickr

DSC03716 by John Little, on Flickr
On the way back.

DSC03717 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC03760 by John Little, on Flickr

Lovely images. A dramatic place, even on just a quick visit.

Oooh lovely, love good beaches and cliffs

Mal Grey wrote:Lovely images. A dramatic place, even on just a quick visit.

Cheers. Like I say, I'm so glad I got to some dramatic scenery before I timed out.

Having looked at more photos of the Burg since then I'm even more glad that I didn't try to follow my original plan. I had thought it might be possible to ascend the cliffs just north of the fossil tree but I now think that isn't possible for another mile or two. I will go back and find out though and it will be fun seeing what is there and what is possible. Next time maybe I will try to take a bike to save a bit of energy and time for the more pathless parts.

P.S. I've now noticed that "it is...very difficult to progress beyond" the fossil tree:
https://www.nts.org.uk/Downloads/Walking/Burg%20Trail.pdf

But there is a route: http://www.iona-bed-breakfast-mull.com/attractions/walking-mull/the-burg-and-fossil-tree/

Jaxter wrote:Oooh lovely, love good beaches and cliffs

A bit of a trudge at the start but might have felt different if I'd known where I'd end up which was well worth it in the end. It's that dull to dramatic transition that can sometimes make a walk though.
Within striking distance of the two gullies further north that I had wanted to see I had to do the sensible thing and about turn which saved me from (1) a descent through the cows if I'd gone further north (this then necessitating a "short cut" directly south east) and (2) a throttling from Jill when I turned up home early next morning.

Think I've driven past here once or twice in the dim and distant past but didn't get out for a look - does look an interesting area to explore. Nice set of photos - I do like the last one - cheers

rockhopper wrote:Think I've driven past here once or twice in the dim and distant past but didn't get out for a look - does look an interesting area to explore. Nice set of photos - I do like the last one - cheers

Well, you know, there's a long and challenging walk waiting there for someone...