John o'Groats Trail: Dornoch to Golspie

Summary

The fifth stage of the John o'Groats trail starts with some excellent coastal walking taking in the beaches and links of Dornoch and Embo. Minor roads then lead to the Mound and Loch Fleet. Fields and woods then lead back to the coast for a final superb beach walk to Golspie.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good coastal paths then minor road. Busy road verge, then woodland paths, field edges and woodland tracks and finally a long section of sandy beach.

Public Transport

Both Dornoch and Golspie have bus links; Golspie additionally has a railway station.

Start

Dornoch. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 22km / 13.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6.5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 125m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH798896

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

From the centre of Dornoch take Church Street south from Bridge Street and soon turn left onto Golf Road which leads to the beach car park. Go through the car park to pick up the track running along the seaward side of the golf course - alternatively you could also walk on the lovely sandy beach, although it is necessary to come up to the track to avoid a rocky outcrop). After the small headland the path heads inland slightly and climbs to a double set of gates with a sign for Embo. The JGT is marked to turn left here, up across the field to a farm track along an old railway.

Stage 2

Turn right on the farm track; when it swings right towards the caravan park, keep ahead on a grassy track and follow it to a tarmac road. Keep left on the road and when it bends left at a junction, keep straight ahead on a grassy track to stay on the old railway line. If instead you want to go to Embo for the caravan park or shop, keep ahead at the sign for Embo. Follow the path through the dunes with Ben Bhraggie and its 100 foot tall statue of the Duke of Sutherland clearly visible in the distance. When the path emerges on a small track go straight across to cross the burn and enter Grannie's Heilan Hame caravan park. Turn left to follow the track through the park, going straight ahead at two roundabouts and then keeping left to pass a telephone box and straight ahead to leave by the park entrance.

Stage 3

Go straight ahead from the parking area onto a tarred lane into Embo. When a t-junction is reached with Front Street, turn left. Go right at the next crossroads, then keep straight ahead when the main road swings left. Go ahead again alongside the parking area, then pass to the left side of the post office/shop. A grassy path leads through an area of tall grasses, passing through a kissing gate. Turn left on a path beyond the gate, then turn right when this reaches a t-junction with a path along what was once the old railway line. You are now back on the marked JGT.

Stage 4

There are good views to the huge monument on Ben Bhraggie across the other side of Loch Fleet. Keep straight on through the gorse bushes at a path junction, staying on the old railway line; at one point the route passes an old signal house. Pass through a gate and continue ahead, watching for a stile on your left into a field. Cross the stile and look for another stile across the field at a fence corner. Leave the field and turn right along the farm driveway and in a minute, continue ahead on the public road. Keep straight ahead at a junction, to come alongside Loch Fleet below the ruins of Skelbo Castle.

Stage 5

Continue along the road by the shores of Loch Fleet until just before the junction with the A9. At a house on the left called the Gate House, bear right into trees to follow the old grass-grown railway through the woods. Follow this for over a kilometre. Eventually emerge from trees to ascend the highway embankment. Continue along the very narrow verge of A9 with great care, crossing the bridge and keeping ahead when the Lairg road goes off left. Turn off the A9 250m beyond onto a forest track cutting sharp right. Soon after the first bend, turn left onto a clear path through the trees.

Stage 6

The path leads on ahead through the trees. At a junction turn left onto a path that heads towards the left edge of the forest. Keep inside the fence until a stile is reached. Cross this and the ditch ahead, continuing along the left edge of the fields, keeping the fence on your left. Pass right round the field edge until it reaches a gate in the far corner near the railway. Go through the gate and continue with the fenced railway line on your right. Pass through more gates and follow a path through the field until it reaches a gate and track to pass to the left of a house.

Stage 7

Go straight across the track through the gate on the other side, then turn right to follow the edge of the field (can be wet) and then once more alongside the railway fence. This eventually leads to a tarmac road with a level crossing. Turn right along the tarmac, using the crossing, and follow the road which reaches a gate at the entrance to Balblair Wood. Go straight ahead, now on a track, through the woods. When a t-junction is reached with Loch Fleet visible ahead turn left, following a broad path through the trees. This passes a bench and crosses a bridge before it emerges at a minor road.

Stage 8

Turn left along the road for just over 500m until a track on the right, signed as 'Coastal Route to Littleferry'. Follow the track across the golf course and past the caravan park. At the end head up onto the dunes. From here a fine sandy beach stretches out towards Golspie (left) - you can either walk along the beach, on a path in the dunes, or slightly inland on a path just below the dunes.

Stage 9

At the edge of the village a ramp leads up from the beach onto Golspie's sea wall; from here continue to the jetty. Follow the tarred coastal path beyond the jetty; when it reaches a playpark turn left to head to the main street, and then right along it to reach the centre of Golspie.

Next stage: Golspie to Brora

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