Munsary Peatlands Reserve, Achavanich, near Lybster

Summary

An easy walk across heathland to a peatland reserve, home to many specialised plants and flowers. This "there and back" walk follows a farm track to a ruined cottage where there is a seat to take in the huge skies.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Farm track, can be a little muddy in places, gate sometimes locked which may have to be climbed. Grazing livestock (sheep and cattle) so any dogs under strict control.

Getting there

Start

Loch Stemster, just off Lybster road heading south from A9 at Achavanich.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

ND186421

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.2km / 6.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 90m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 450 - Wick

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

Walk Description

User reports (0)

Stage 1

Turn south for Lybster from the A9 at Achavanich and after approximately 0.5km there is a track entrance on the left overlooking Loch Semster and signed for Northern Saints Trail Ballachly. There is parking to the left of the cattle grid and gate or more just through the gate on the right where there is an old information board for the Munsary reserve which is managed by the charity Plantlife. Start the walk by heading through the gate and along the track next to Loch Semster.

Stage 2

Follow the track. The yellow flowers of marsh marigold can often be seen in the spring and summer as well as bogbean with their delicate pink flowers and green bean-shaped fruits later in the year, in the pond on the left. The track bends left away from the loch and rises slightly. It curves right, and then back left (ignore a very faint branch ahead) to pass to the left of the remains of a circular stone sheep fank. Continue as the track crosses a cattle grid.

Stage 3

The track descends slightly. After almost 1.45km from the fank turn right, staying on the main track and ignoring the gate and track straight ahead. The route now leads towards Ballachly Farm. Pass a small lochan with views to the surrounding windfarms and heather moorland. Here bell and ling heather grow as well as cross-leaved heath also known as bog heather.

Stage 4

In the second field on the left, on the far side, the stone walls of Ballachly graveyard can be seen. Legend has it that this is the resting place (site of a relic) of Triduana, a norse goddess famed for plucking her eyes out to repel an unwanted suitor and later for curing eye diseases. The Orkneyinga Saga records her restoring the sight of Bishop John, who had had his eyes plucked out and came here in 1202 and was healed. Continue up towards the farm buildings and pass them on your left.

Stage 5

Continue through the farm gate and onto a boggier track across the wide open space. Peat would have traditionally been cut for fuel here, now the wind farm turbines provide a modern alternative. Look out for lousewort, common butterwort, and the white, fluffy seed heads of hare's tail cotton grass.

Stage 6

Continue to a gate marking the entrance to the Munsary peatlands nature reserve. This gate may be locked and need to be climbed. Continue and go through another gate and head towards the ruined cottage at Munsary. Here a gate leads into the cottage enclosure and there is a bench and views of the vast peatlands.

Stage 7

Return via the same outward track.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?