John o'Groats Trail: Alness to Tain

Summary

The third stage of the John o'Groats trail initial follows minor roads from Alness through the pleasant countryside of Easter Ross. There are a couple of sections through forestry with occassional wide views before the final descent to the fine old town of Tain.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Mostly minor roads and forest tracks; some sections can be muddy underfoot, especially one short stretch in the forest beyond Stoneyfield.

Public Transport

Alness and Tain both have bus and train links.

Start

Alness. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 290m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH654696

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Starting from the bridge over the River Aveyron, head east briefly along the High Street, then turn left up Ardross Road. Keep straight along this road heading out of town; there is a pavement on the right hand side as far as the end of speed restriction signs. After around 1km, turn right onto a road signed for Scotsburn and Tain. The route now follows this quiet minor road for several kilometres. Ignore a first turning on the left, but take the second left, again signed for Scotsburn and Tain. Ignore another turning on the left (for Culcairn).

Stage 2

After some time ignore another turning on the right (Tomich A9 and Invergordon), keeping straight on, and finally ignore another turning on the left (Ardross). Shortly after this last junction, leave the road by turning right onto a tarred lane for Easter Stoneyfield. When this reaches the edge of the trees (and before you reach the house) leave the lane, turning left onto an initially overgrown path along the inside edge of the woods. When a path junction is reached turn left; soon the path becomes clearer as an old track, though it too is becoming overgrown. Continue ahead through the trees for over 1.5km, passing a small pond on your left; the going becomes briefly very boggy - waterlogged at times.

Stage 3

Eventually the track swings left and then right (through a locked gate) to reach a minor road; turn left along this road. Soon this reaches a t-junction; turn right here (signed Tain 6.5 miles). Continue along the road for 1.5km until the entrance to Scotsburn Farm on the left - turn left up this track. At a fork bear right, then go through (or over) the double gates on your left into a yard alongside an old barn with a waterwheel. Pass through the yard to reach another gate into the woods, and an old overgrown grassy track/path up through the trees. Eventually this path leads up to a t-junction; turn right here.

Stage 4

A short distance further the clear path reaches a pedestrian gate; do not pass through, instead turning left before it to follow another path uphill. Eventually this reaches an initially muddy track. Turn right along this; after a turning area it becomes a hard forestry track. Keep straight ahead along this; there are open views in places towards Cromarty and looking back towards the distant Strathfarrar hills. When the track forks take the left branch, slightly uphill. Ignore tracks off on either side, eventually reaching a wide main junction of tracks.

Stage 5

Continue ahead, and after almost a kilometre go straight across a path to reach a t-junction. The Forestry Commission 'Aldie Burn' car park is to the right, but turn left instead. Cross a burn and follow the track round to the right. Soon, when the track swings left, turn right onto a path. Go along this path, eventually keeping straight across at a track to emerge on the tarmac Scotsburn Road again and turn left. Continue for over 2 kilometres toward Tain.

Stage 6

As the busy traffic of the A9 appears ahead, follow cycle route 1 markers for the tarmac cycle path to the left, and continue to follow the markers and tarmac path through a tunnel under the A9. Turn right on the road, and left at the next junction to find yourself back on Scotsburn Road. Continue downhill into the centre of Tain, where the stage ends at the Royal Tain Hotel.

Next stage: Tain to Dornoch

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