This easy circuit from Evanton visits the ruins of Kiltearn Church and the shores of the Cromarty Firth - including an old salmon fishing bothy.
Quiet roads, paths and tracks. Part of path to fishing bothy can be wet underfoot.
Bus service to Evanton.
Car park at centre of Evanton.
Park in the car park opposite the Cornerstone Bookshop in the centre of Evanton. There is an information board giving details on a number of short walks from here. To begin the walk, turn left out of the car park and follow the road past the Balconie Inn, continuing to the war memorial at the road junction. To avoid any more of the main road, turn right here up the minor road past the school. At the last of the houses, turn left onto an even smaller minor road; this soon crosses the main road at a cross-roads - keep straight on (there is a footpath sign marked 'Kiltearn Church'. The minor road has very little traffic and crosses first the railway and then the A9 over bridges.
Look out for Fyrish Monument which is in view on the hilltop to the north. As the road reaches the shore of the Cromarty Firth - with the Black Isle seen opposite - it curves left. Seals can sometimes be seen swimming just offshore; they often bask on rocks along the coast to the west and are visible from the main A9. Continue along the road, passing the impressive former Manse, which is now a guest house.
Just beyond is the old, ruined parish church of Kiltearn. The large graveyard here is fascinating to explore; the graves include several to Polish, Canadian and Australian soldiers dating from the second World War. Back outside the graveyard, the walk continues from the end of the road by heading round the shoreline on an improved path.
The path eventually reaches a wooden footbridge over the River Sgitheach. Cross this to a path junction. The walk eventually turns left inland here - but it is worth first detouring further along the coast. The first part of the path can be wet, but it soon improves - and reaches an old stone ruin - once a salmon fishing bothy, just short of Balconie Point. It's a beautiful spot.
Return towards the bridge and then follow the signed path heading inland through the woodland. It emerges on a track and passes between a large converted barn and a house; and a little further on a waterworks. Beyond the waterworks keep right (on the tarmac lane) rather than straight ahead on the smaller track. Soon you should cross the A9 on another bridge and emerge in a back lane of Evanton. Continue straight ahead to reach Balconie Street; then turn left to return to the car.
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