The Culbin Sands east of Nairn is an RSPB reserve, and a popular spot for walkers. Level ground, although sometimes boggy, it affords good views of the Moray Firth and opportunities for wildlife watchers.
The Bar, a sand bar that stretches nearly five miles from south west to north east, is a more solitary proposition, and rarely do I meet more than one or two people, if any, when venturing onto its sandy expanses.
Pick the right time for the tides and you will have huge areas of beach that stretch out into the Moray Firth as your playground.
Most of the photos displayed were taken on the date stated, but others from prior visits.
Our walk starts from the East Beach car park by the caravan site, although you can shave a couple of miles off the walk if parking at Kingsteps, or further up the road at a lay-by opposite Lochloy House.
We walk north east along the track with the forestry on our right and the salt marshes on our left.
If the tide is out you can venture onto the salt marsh and pick your way through the rivulets and pools.
Nairn Beach 190114-5923_tonemapped.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
If the tide is in, admire the views in changing light.
Nairn Beach 190114-5943_tonemapped.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Nairn Beach 16012015-0706.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Nairn Beach 18042015-1915_tonemapped.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Seabirds, startled by my dog, take flight, and the afternoon sun gleams off their undersides, providing a pleasing contrast with the gloomy threatening clouds behind.
Nairn Beach 16012015-0686_tonemapped.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
We reach the bar, this spit of sand and dunes, and can head either west or east.
Either way is similar in length. Towards Nairn, the dunes extend in a curve, with sand and then stones. Best to visit when the tide is out - far easier walking. The remains of an old salmon fishing station remains on the shoreline.
Nairn Beach 18042015-1953.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Nairn Beach 18042015-1947.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Nairn Beach 05092015-9050031.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Cockles and mussels lie mingled with the pebbles on the beach, testament as to why this is an RSPB reserve.
Nairn Beach 05092015-9050048_tonemapped.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
The further west, the more stones and pebbles, some covered in lichen. This one reminds me of an old map of Scotland.
Nairn Beach 18042015-1966.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
However, today, we head north east.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080017.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080021.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
A huge swathe of sandy beach lies before us, extending far out into the firth. But as the sign at Nairn beach warns, the tide can come in far quicker than expected.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080033.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
As we walk along the beach on the north side of the bar we approach regular rows of wooden poles, the remains of anti glider defences of WW2, now bleached and warped by the sea and wind, and standing yet as sentinels on this lonely stretch, until time and tide will eventually grind them down.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080050.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080055.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080067.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
On the shore is a rock, a large barnacle atop, which will survey the beach until the tide comes in and shifts it where it will.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080073.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
As we approach the end of the bar, seals can be seen basking on the sand in the warm October sun.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080084.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080085.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
It would not be fair to approach too close and disturb them.
Then across the bar and into The Gut on the south side. I wonder how it got its name?
Culbin Sands 08102015-080097.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Here, again, we find the anti glider defences, and further on, marsh samphire turning autumnal red.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080106.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Then on to the old bothy, now decrepit and collapsed. The old maps of the 1850's show a building here, no doubt a refuge for the salmon fishers. If only walls could talk.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080132.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080142.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Behind the bothy, glowing crimson red in the sun, are rows of rosebay willow herb, their wispy seed heads taking off in flight in the gentle afternoon breeze as I brush past.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080147.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
On the north side of the Bar again, a blade of grass, just now being warmed by the sun, catches my eye; the morning dew still present, and glistening like diamonds, magnifying the parallel lines of the blade, it is a thing of beauty.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080152.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Further west, we come upon a carcass, well buried in the sand, only its starboard skin visible, still attached to its ribs by iron nails that stain the wood a blood red colour.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080158.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080160.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080172.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
What vessel was this? Perhaps one that in Nairn in 1851 capsized on the bar, and five of her seven crew perished. Four bodies were recovered. Of the fifth? Do his bleached and picked bones lie yet under this hulk?
The dogs are keen to get home and point their noses west.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080175.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
A log, stranded on the sand with branches like a trident, affords a photo opportunity, but the joy of dogs is that they intrude sometimes. Well, there is a shortage of trees hereabouts.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080178.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Culbin Sands 08102015-080180.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
Finally, back to the salt marsh, where flights of geese noisily make their way to the shore, a brief respite in their journey south.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080190.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr
The shadows grow longer, and a pole stands guard over a bog, its head worn away by the elements, before I retrace my steps back to the car park, to the bus station, and home.
Culbin Sands 08102015-080192.jpg by Charles Maciejewski, on Flickr