Dornoch links and Embo circular, Dornoch

Summary

An excellent circuit taking in the historic buildings of Dornoch, woodland and old railway, the world famous golf course, sandy shore to Embo pier then coast path back to Dornoch. This walk can be linked to the Dornoch Point walk by continuing along the shore instead of returning to the town at the Lifeboat Station.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Clear paths, tracks and minor roads with optional section along the beach.

Getting there

Start

Dornoch town centre.

Public Transport

Bus services to Dornoch.

Start Grid Ref

NH798896

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 90m (Profile)

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Explorer 438 - Dornoch

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Square - the main junction in the centre of Dornoch; there is parking here (time limited) or further along the street. Begin by walking north along the A949 (Bridge Street). Just before you reach the entrance to an industrial estate and the old station building on the left, cross the road to the right and follow some steps up through Earl's Cross and Station woods signed for Embo. Keep on the path as it bears left keeping near the high fence on your left that goes round the back of a large house, then keep straight ahead to reach a kissing gate at a road. Cross the road and through another gate onto the woodland path. Soon at the fork head left slightly down hill (follow yellow arrow for Historylinks Trail). Keep following this path as it curves left before it reaches the bottom of the wood and then runs alongside a field at the edge of the wood eventually reaching a narrow gateway marked with a yellow arrow.

Stage 2

At a fork in the trees keep straight ahead. Soon a stone grave just off to the right is reached. This marks the resting place of a man who was brought to Dornoch for burial at a time when plague was sweeping the nation. His body was refused entry and he was buried on this spot. Although harsh, this policy may have kept Dornoch free of cholera in 1832, a year when thousands died throughout Britain.

Stage 3

Return to the path and a little further on turn left at a fork following the yellow arrow. Soon you reach Earl's Cross. This is a large boundary stones which features the shields of the Earl of Sutherland and the Bishop of Caithness who controlled the lands to the north and south respectively. Bear right at the cross through gorse and then trees, ignore a path to the left and then a marked path to the right instead staying straight ahead through another section of gorse (still following yellow arrows). Keep ahead through more open ground and ignore the stile and signed to soon reach views over the golf course. At the wider track bear left then right until you reach a house. Here turn sharp right signed for Embo and follow the old railway line.

Stage 4

When the track splits cross the stile next to the gate to take the lower track towards the sea and golf course with the caravan park and pier at Embo in view. At the end of the golf course bear left and go up and head through the metal gate and then a wooden one to follow a narrow grassy path towards Embo just inland from the line of dunes. At a track dogleg left slightly to follow the sign for Embo to cross the stream and reach the edge of the caravan park Turn right immediately and descend to the beach. A detour left along the shore reaches Embo pier, a good viewpoint and rest spot.

Stage 5

Either retrace your steps back from the pier or if you didn't detour to the pier, turn right onto the sand and cross the stream to head along the sand towards Dornoch. Look for a green path sign on the right and soon after head up to the edge of the golf course and follow the path around the edge of the course, marked by red posts soon following a wider track. Keep to the left on a grassy path when the main track crosses the centre of the course. The route soon returns to a track and you follow this to the southern end of the golf course. Fork left at a junction and pass round the back of one of the tees, keeping near the coast all the time.

Stage 6

Eventually the track heads inland through a gate, follow this uphill to the car park, picnic tables and lifeboat station. The walk can be extended to Dornoch Point from here by going down the steps to the beach and continuing in the same direction - the route described on the linked walk is picked up by crossing the stream as it flows over the beach. Otherwise, follow the road inland and keep straight on at a T-junction (car park, coffee kiosk and playpark to the left) and continue up over the edge of the golf course to pass the clubhouse. Continue down the road into Dornoch and turn right at the junction to return to the square at the start.

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