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Our intention was to do the River Beauly and Lovat Bridge circuit the way Walkhighlands says, starting just south of Black Bridge. But when we got there the small car park was full and parking elsewhere risked blocking the way for others or getting stuck in mud! So we reverted to the way I'd done the walk many times before, parking near the Lovat Bridge. Except that when we drove down the usual track (turning left immediately after crossing the bridge on the road to Beauly from Inverness) we found we were barred from going to the old parking spot by the river and were directed right and right again to a large parking area by a barn close to the main road.
From there we retraced our steps to the track by the river from where there are good views of the Lovat Bridge.
Lovat Bridge in February and blessed with a rainbow
This was a regular dog walk for us when we lived on the west side of Inverness but I hadn't been back for a couple of years so it was interesting to see that although access had changed, nothing had changed about the river. Apart that is from the seasonal changes of flora and colour. So for comparison here are some photos from a walk with the dogs a few year ago in October.
Lovat Bridge in October with trees still in full leaf
Inlet with boat where the dogs loved to swim
Birch starting to show autumn colours
Dog on a mission
At this point we followed the river, not the track
Riverside path
Back to February 2018
Moira's reflections
View upstream
Trees in winter
Beaufort Castle (taken into sun so a poor shot)
Cruives Lodge
Crossing the field
After crossing the field and reaching the trees we met a local walking her dog. She walks her dog in this area every day and said for variety we could take a return path which goes past a quarry and a couple of lochans before joining the minor road back to the Lovat Bridge. We thanked her and said we'd consider it when we had first been to the Black Bridge.
Black Bridge (where we would have started had we found space)
By the time we had turned back and reached the fork in the path it had clouded over so we were glad we'd done the first half by the river when the sun was shining.
Fork in the path
WH's route takes the right fork but the local had recommended the left fork so I took a short detour to have a look, while Moira looked to see what was making her boot uncomfortable! Almost immediately I could see the quarry ahead and what with the grey sky, bare earth, mounds of gravel and line of pylons the sight wasn't very compelling to going that way (although it may have been more attactive further on).
Quarry
So I returned to Moira who had sorted her sock problem and we agreed to take the right fork through the woods which led fairly soon on to a minor road passing through farmland.
A much better sight!
I'm not an expert on breeds of sheep but thought some of these look like Herdwick sheep, more usually seen in the Cumbrian Lake District.
Herdwick sheep in Lake District (not exact comparison as this ewe had just been shorn)
The road led back to the Lovat Bridge but before reaching the bridge passed near where we had parked, beside a large barn and with direct access to the main road.
Parking area beside the barn
So that's the River Beauly circuit done the wrong way round... but to be honest I would do it this way again. Parking at the Black Bridge is further to drive and has a lot less space.
