This one-way walk links the two beautiful harbours of Scourie and Tarbet passing numerous small lochs and rocky heather moorland. The going is rough and boggy and care needs to be taken to keep to the path. The time and distance given do not include a return to the start.
Rough path, very boggy in places
Bus service (806/805) from Durness and Lairg.
Scourie - car park opposite shop.
There are two car parks in Scourie, that opposite the stores is the most convenient for this walk. Briefly head west on the main road (towards Kylesku) and then turn right to head down towards the bay and pier. Walk along the road at the back of the bay, past the picnic area, and then turn right just before the gateway to the large house to follow a grassy path alongside the garden wall. Go through a kissing gate and turn left onto a track passing some farm buildings.
Continue along the track, passing through two farm gates and then a metal kissing gate just before the green metal waterworks building. Here do not pass the building, instead turning left to follow the waymarked path. This soon heads uphill on a rough but well worn path. The path climbs up towards a rocky gully, passing a stone sheep fold on the left and then as the gradient levels off, go through an old gateway where a fence used to be.
The path now undulates over the rocky and heathery terrain, passing a lochan on the right. At times the path can be very wet underfoot and as the landscape is difficult to navigate, care needs to be taken to keep to the path. There are some small cairns to mark the way. The route passes between two lochans, crossing the outflow on stones.
Glimpses of the sea can be seen on both sides of this small peninsula, the path heads downhill and then through a patch of bracken which can be a bit overgrown in summer. Eventually a rusting, metal gate is passed, the only reminder of a fence here at one time. There are now good views over the sea to the left, with Handa and a number of smaller islands clearly visible.
After another dip, where a stream is crossed, climb over a knoll and the descent down to Tarbet can be seen ahead. The small cove is usually dotted with small fishing boats as well as the regular boat which takes trips to Handa Island. The path zig zags down to run along a stone wall. Pass through a gate in the wall and over springy turf to descend to the bay where there are toilets, a cafe and car park as well as a fantastic outlook.
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