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Enticed up to Sutherland by Ben Hope, Ben Loyal its neighbouring Corbett and mysterious Foinaven, it felt like a real adventure setting off to explore the far reaches of the Munro map and a new part of Scotland.
We were surprisingly and
completely done in after the first two, especially Ben Loyal (intended as a warm up!) ..........
obviously not as fit as we would like!! Foinaven we knew was a long day, so due to low energy stores and my new found, rapidly worsening fear of heights, ledges, sides and edges.........I talked myself out of it this time.
This has only served to make it more intimidating and it has now been added to my list of nemesis mountains which one day I will probably force myself to walk up and then seriously regret! It now joins Ben Eighe (after a complete freak out on reaching the top of the stone shoot) & Liatach (which I have never attempted). Alistair ensures me they are just easy walks, of course.
After reading a captivating description of Sandwood Bay in Poucher's Peaks, we decided to slacken the pace and take a visit. Poucher also described it as a good rest day after Foinaven
so along with a little pang of inadequcy there
it went on the itinary.
''The bay is a lovely retreat but to some conveys a sense of haunting. Those who reach it on a sunny summer morning, when the light is curving on the cliffs, will be rewarded by a scene of exquisite beauty''.
How could one resist?
Arriving at 7pm we were amazed to see about 15 cars in the carpark and began to wonder if it would quite the quiet escape we had imagined. Luckily we passed almost all these walkers on our way down.
The track is wide and easy going over the moorland (good for mountain bikes) with lots of wildlife and lochans dotted along the way. The dusk air was full of what looked like midges but lucky for us they did not seem remotely interested.....which definately prevented hell on earth
- Starting the walk in
- Passing a lochan
- Over looking the dunes
We arrived with a few hours of light to spare and from the hill top could see a couple of tents in the far distance with the same idea, one with canoes (bit jealous). We set up tent amongst the sand dunes with a sea view and got a much needed dinner on the go.
- Descending a steep sand dune
- Walking through the dunes
- Happy to be here
- Chef getting to work
The weather was perfect for an evening stroll along the deserted beach, still midge free thanks to a light sea breeze and with a pretty spectacular sunset thrown in.
- Evening stroll along the beach
- A poor Gannet washed up
- Not a bad sunset
Keen to see the scene poucher described, we set the alarm for 5.15am and drifted off to the song of the waves.
I woke 1 minute before the alarm dreaming I had missed the sunrise, and having had the best nights sleep in months.
Indeed a lovely sight.
- View from the tent
- Tent in the morning sun
- Sun rise stroll
During our evening stroll the night before we accidentaly distured a family of Eider ducks roosting on the sand at the end of the beach, some seemed very young. On seeing us they headed out to sea in the dark and I was worried they might come to harm. It was a beautiful sight to see them the next day safe and sound.
- The eider ducks heading out to sea
- Sea stack - Am Buachaille
We stumbled across this old plane engine and propeller on the beach, as it appeared to be on top of the beach we wondered if it had been recently washed up. An internet search revealed that this was the known crash site of spitfire R7154 which set off from Cape Wrath on patrol on the 30th of September 1941. The pilot Micheal Kilburn survived and walked out to safety. The plane was destroyed and the remains are intermittently uncovered by the sea.
- Spitfire R7154 propeller and engine uncovered by the seas
- Tent under the cliffs
After a nice cuppa & few hours of sunshine we were once more on the long track out. Some nice wildlife along the way. Near the car we passed the first set of visitors for the day.
- Morning brew
- Interesting patterns in the sand, and some very small foot prints
- Buzzard high in the sky, we disturbed him from the sand dunes
- A common sand piper keeping his lochan guard
- One of many lovely sky larks
- Off home, good bye Sandwood Bay
This place is good for the soul, I cant remember the last time I felt so well rested and refreshed.