walkhighlands

A storm in a Cromarty teacup

Route: Cromarty explorer

Date walked: 19/02/2024

Distance: 6.5km

It was a spur of the moment decision to do this walk. Weather looked good for Cromarty and Moira had a narrow time frame to fit something in. We had done it a few years before with Liz and Roger and knew it was worth repeating. We parked where WH suggests and headed in the direction of the South Sutor. It was a beautiful morning with blue sky and sunshine... but that was about to change with cloud beginning to appear from the west.

Across the Cromarty Firth to Nigg
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White walled cottages
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A bonny place to sit
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The Sutors ahead
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We were slightly concerned the WH warning about storm damage (currently preceding the walk description) might mean a tedious detour inland. It says "The coastal path from Cromarty to the South Sutor has been badly affected by Storm Babet; there is a signed detour inland which must be followed and care taken.". When we reached the left turn off Miller Road there was a sign indicating the path had been closed but it appeared that was no longer the case.

Footpath no longer closed
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View back to oil rig
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Moira
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Narrow entrance to the firth
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The damaged section was very short. A particularly high tide had caused the collapse of part of the path. It would have been easy enough to step down from the path and continue along the stones to where the path was intact but we'd been told the detour "must be followed and care taken" so we obediently went through a gate and walked along the far side of the fence to a second gate beyond the damage. We wondered if there was more damage to come but that was the sum total of it. Really nothing at all.

Storm damage
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Damaged section from other end
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Normal path resumed
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We passed the house disguising Cromarty's sewage station ironically at the exact moment I was looking for a dog poo bin, which I didn't find and had to carry the offending item for much longer than I wanted to. With the number of dog walkers using this route I'd have thought an occasional bin important; but then of course it means they have to be emptied which costs money. Inverness is well supplied with poo bins so I'm probably spoiled.

Next we came to the part I remembered from before, the steps.

Down steps
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Up steps
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WW2 pillbox
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We followed the WH instructions and emerged out of the woodland, supposedly at the viewpoint, but it wasn't immediately visible so my instincts said to climb higher which we did by going through a gate and up a path over grass. But that was wrong.

North Sutor
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Moira checking the map before calling me back
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We returned to the minor road and started our descent when I spotted a sign off to the left for the viewpoint. So up we went.

South Sutor viewpoint
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Zoomed from near viewpoint showing how much cloud had come in
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We returned to the road for a relaxed amble down through the fields.

Zoomed to Cromarty
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Unicorn at the stables
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The Stables arts venue
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Brewery, restored as a training centre
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Cromarty's most famous son is almost certainly Hugh Miller. Remembered as a fossil hunter, stonemason, geologist, man of faith, editor, writer and social justice campaigner he was one of the great Scots of the 19th century. He also suffered from a mental illness which at times made him delusional, causing him to fear he would harm his wife and children. It is possible this fear was a factor in his taking his own life in 1856.

Hugh Miller's birthplace in 1802
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House built by his father in which he later lived
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Restored 700 year old East Church
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Interesting tree
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Jetty from where there are summer ferry crossings to Nigg
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Oil rig and harbour
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We passed the Slaughterhouse coffee shop with outdoor tables made of cable spools and were soon back at the car and on our way in time for Moira's appointment. It's a great short walk and folk shouldn't be put off by the warning of a detour as it amounts to very little.

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dogplodder


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Munros: 242
Corbetts: 74
Fionas: 25
Wainwrights: 9
Hewitts: 4
Sub 2000: 32
Islands: 24
Long Distance routes: West Highland Way    Dava Way    Great Glen Way    Moray Coastal Trail    Speyside Way    South Loch Ness Trail    Loch Ness 360   



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Statistics

2024

Trips: 5
Distance: 31 km

2023

Trips: 34
Distance: 361 km
Munros: 4
Corbetts: 3
Fionas: 6
Sub2000s: 2

2022

Trips: 23
Distance: 257.1 km
Munros: 3
Corbetts: 7
Sub2000s: 2

2021

Trips: 26
Distance: 366.3 km
Munros: 7
Corbetts: 8
Fionas: 1
Sub2000s: 3

2020

Trips: 31
Distance: 446.75 km
Munros: 6
Corbetts: 5
Fionas: 2
Sub2000s: 1

2019

Trips: 25
Distance: 384.45 km
Munros: 10
Corbetts: 2
Fionas: 1
Sub2000s: 2

2018

Trips: 33
Distance: 466.5 km
Munros: 9
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 2

2017

Trips: 26
Distance: 257.25 km
Munros: 6
Corbetts: 10
Fionas: 4
Sub2000s: 1
Hewitts: 2
Wainwrights 2

2016

Trips: 43
Distance: 366 km
Ascent: 2974m
Munros: 12
Corbetts: 11
Fionas: 3
Sub2000s: 7

2015

Trips: 34
Distance: 255.5 km
Munros: 6
Corbetts: 14
Fionas: 2

2014

Trips: 25
Distance: 176.75 km
Munros: 15
Corbetts: 3
Fionas: 1
Sub2000s: 3
Wainwrights 2

2013

Trips: 17
Distance: 24 km
Munros: 11
Corbetts: 3

2012

Trips: 21
Distance: 194 km
Ascent: 4594m
Munros: 13
Corbetts: 4
Fionas: 1

2011

Trips: 16
Distance: 182 km
Ascent: 1385m
Munros: 22
Corbetts: 1
Fionas: 1

2010

Trips: 11
Distance: 114.5 km
Ascent: 1025m
Munros: 19

2009

Trips: 8
Distance: 89 km
Munros: 12

2008

Trips: 7
Munros: 11

2007

Trips: 2
Munros: 3

2006

Trips: 2
Distance: 18 km
Munros: 4

2005

Trips: 2
Distance: 17 km
Munros: 2

2004

Trips: 1
Munros: 4

2003

Trips: 1
Munros: 1


Joined: Jul 16, 2011
Last visited: Mar 18, 2024
Total posts: 4232 | Search posts