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We left the car in an icy layby at the east end of Loch Duntelchaig and headed back along the road that runs close to the loch's shoreline. It was mid morning, the sky was blue, the sun was shining and there wasn't a breath of wind. I had dressed for the forecast low temperature but later had to shed a layer as I was too warm.
Loch Duntelchaig
Just before the crown of the hill we turned right through a farm gate signed for Bunachton. We followed the track past a large house on the right and then through woodland.
Lichen above roe deer browsing level
When the trees cleared on the right there were views back to Loch Duntelchaig and the hills beyond
We remembered this part of the route had been wet and muddy when we walked it previously, and at one point having to detour through the trees because the track was water-logged. We thought this time would be okay as the ground was frozen but when we got to the same spot the same 'moat' was there and had to be bypassed as before.
When we reached the road we turned left and passed the Mains of Bunachton farmhouse on the right. Not far beyond the farmhouse and before the next plantation we turned right through a farm gate and followed an icy track towards a second farm gate. We were glad of our microspikes on this section as the sheet ice was pretty lethal.
Icy track
This led to another farm gate which we opened before noticing two black bulls eyeing us with interest.
Two bulls barring our path
They looked docile enough and their interest was probably in the hope we were bringing a bale of hay for lunch but we decided not to take unnecessary risks and closed the gate again, taking an alternative route along the other side of the fence. This led to another fence and a deep watery ditch which we crossed just as another walker caught up with us. He had spoken to the farmer who had mentioned the two bulls and he too had decided not to have a closer encounter with them than he had to. Our next obstacle was an electric fence which he crossed first and warned us it had given him a slight shock so we were careful how we crossed, which we did without incident. Walkhighlands advises about how to negotiate the electric fence, which would have been helpful had we read it first!
Loch Bunachton is a lovely spot so we found a rock to park ourselves for lunch, which turned out to be a geocaching hiding place complete with plastic container. We had a look inside but didn't interact with it and hid it again as we're not geocaching people who would exchange a rubber for a pencil sharpener or some other essential small item.
Loch Bunachton
This loch is popular with fishermen and grebes - but we didn't see any sign of either species while we were there.
Leaving lunch spot (Moira's pic)
Moira
We left the lochside and followed the track through pinewoods for about 1km to a junction with a track to the left where we took the right fork. This led to a minor road where we had to check the map for which way to turn, which was left. The road continues downhill to a T junction with a sign for Dunlichity.
Right turn for Dunlichity
We didn't take time to explore the old churchyard of Dunlichity Church but I've been in there a few times before and it's interesting to read some of the inscriptions on the old gravestones. The present building was erected in 1758 on the site of an earlier chapel. There's a story that the soldiers supporting the Jacobite cause sharpened their swords on part of the old wall and there are some unexplained grooves still visible which could have led to this story. But, true or not, it didn't lead to victory. After the disastrous Battle of Culloden the bonny prince took shelter in a house in Strathnairn which belonged to some of my ancestors and for a while (a long time ago) we had an old dropleaf table that came out of that house. It sat in a bedroom, had a bit of woodworm and to make room for furniture for the kids we eventually returned it to my parents. We lived to regret that as my dad made a work bench out of it for his garage! When I think what that table might have been worth now...
Photos of churchyard from a previous visit in May
Instead of going in again we paid our respects to the cattle in the field opposite.
Dunlichity cow blending with her surroundings
From Dunlichity we continued along the road to Loch a' Chlachain, meaning 'loch of the church'. This pretty loch is another good location for birdwatching and also for wild swimming on account of the sharp drop off from the bank.
Loch a' Chlachain
No wild swimming today?
Partially frozen loch (M's pic)
Ice crazy paving
From Loch a' Chlachain it's only a short distance along the road to the layby where we left the car. For a cup of coffee one of the nicest places to go from Loch Duntelchaig is the Dores Inn, on the shore of Loch Ness. And even if you don't go in for a coffee, which on this occason we didn't, it's worth stopping for ten minutes to get the view from the beach looking down the length of the loch with the familiar sugarloaf shape of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh on the right.
Loch Ness sunset from Dores beach