Nigg Church and the Bishops' walk

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Summary

Nigg Church is well worth a visit to see the stunning Pictish carved cross-slab inside. The walk is a short one, looping down from the church to the shores of Nigg Bay along an ancient route by the burn. The Bishop of Ross is said to have sailed from his seat in the Black Isle to his summer holiday home at Nigg, coming ashore at Nigg Bay and using the path now known as the Bishops Walk.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths, can be a little wet and overgrown in places.

Public Transport

Infrequent bus (school times only) to Nigg.

Start

Nigg Church. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 2km / 1.25 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Ascent: 25m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH847239

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Park at Nigg old church. The walk begins through the gate into the graveyard. There has been a church here since the thirteenth century, and the present building dates back to 1626. It is well worth wandering around the graveyard to see some fine medieval graveslabs, dating back to the 1300s.

Stage 2

The church is open from 10am - 5pm April to October. Do not miss the chance to explore inside, as in the far room is the amazing 8th century Pictish cross-slab. Standing two metres high and a metre across, the slab once stood in the graveyard but has been moved inside to protect it. The rich and intricate carvings include what is one of the earliest depictions in Britain of the Eucharist or Mass.

Stage 3

Go through the gate to the right of the church to reach the rear graveyard. A path leaves through a gate in the far right corner. Pass alongside a wall and then keep left. The path swings left and then back right through the trees. At a fork, ignoring a path rising to the left (used on the return) and keep along the path through the bottom of the wooded dell. The path can be a little wet - and overgrown in late summer.

Stage 4

Eventually it crosses a wooden footbridge over the burn, and then further on crosses back. Turn right here to follow the path down to a gate where it emerges on the road by the shore of Nigg Bay. There are extensive views across the Bay and the Cromarty Firth, with the distant mountains often rising behind the oil rigs which are serviced and maintained here. There is an RSPB hide around 1.5km along the road to the east.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps to the last footbridge, but this time continue up the right side of the burn. The route follows a high bank above the river which may be part of an old causeway. Eventually the path descends to rejoin the outward route. At the fork near the church bear left to head down to a footbridge, crossing this and reaching the road just beyond some picnic tables. The church and the start of the walk are just to the right.

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