Explore the woods and hills to the north of Strathpeffer on this enjoyable circuit that returns via Loch Kinellan and its crannog.
Paths and tracks throughout; quite rough in parts.
Strathpeffer is served by local buses.
Strathpeffer.
Park in the centre of Strathpeffer, which boasts a range of fascinating buildings dating back to its heyday as a Victorian spa. Begin the walk by heading up the road opposite the restored Spa Pavillion, passing a fine turreted house. Continue along the road up the hill, turning left at a cross-roads just beyond the church; there is a green sign marked with footprints and the Deer logo of the Central Ross footpath network. When the road forks, take the higher right hand fork, passing further attractive cottages.
Just after Rose Cottage - and before the lane bends left - turn right up a broad path. Keep straight ahead and go through a pedestrian gate, then turn right at a signed junction. The path contours the slopes and gives some views over Strathpeffer towards the hill of Knockfarrel. Keep ahead along the path between the fences, ignoring a couple of gates on the left. Just before the path eventually emerges on a tarmac lane, turn left to cut the corner through the trees. Join a track but immediately fork left as the track swings right and continue up the left edge of the golf course.
There's no path initially - keep along the edge of the golf course, with lovely views over the open countryside looking back. Soon a narrow path runs along the edge of the course through the gorse. Keep left of a green, then continue ahead through the 'foot golf' area. Soon the sixthteenth tee is seen on the left - pass this and follow the path into the bushes, crossing a stile. A five-way junction of paths is reached; turn right and then the second of two paths immediately on the left - it's the only one of the paths that heads uphill. The path climbs across the hillside, and there are excellent views as the path takes a winding course along the ridge.
At a fork keep right, passing a footpath sign for Contin and Kinellan. At the next path junction go right again, emerging on a track next to an iron gate (on your left). Turn left through the gate, then immediately right along a track. Keep left past the agricultural buildings, go through a gate, then keep on the track to the right, passing through a further gate. Immediately after this turn right on a path uphill. This soon swings left and continues along a ridge, becoming more of a track. Soon the track swings right - leave it and continue on the path ahead.
The path leads up to a seat looking out over the area and then bends right. Keep ahead on the main path, ignoring branches, then when a track is reached turn right (signed for Contin and Garve). Keep left on the track at the next junction, following the main track as it works its way around to the left and eventually turns towards the far end of Loch Kinellan. The large wooded island in the loch is actually a crannog, an artificial iron-age lake dwelling which provided a safe haven from raids or wolves. There are a couple of seating areas by the loch, and a memorial to Scottish soldiers who died during the Korean War - created by one of their comrades. Continue to reach a road close to a distinctive modern cylindrical house. Turn right here and head down the road.
Follow the quiet minor road all the way down to reach the main A834 opposite a fine white building which was once the Youth Hostel. Turn left, soon joining a pavement and follow this all the way back to the Spa Pavillion and the start in the centre of Strathpeffer.
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