13 July 2023
After driving to Lochinver the previous day with stops at Corrieshalloch Gorge and Ullapool, much to my surprise, Yuliya announced that she did not want to go out in the car but go for a walk. The previous evening, we had gone for a stroll along the lane and I saw a sign saying footpath to Achmelvich, so that seemed like the obvious thing to do. I did not have a map covering the area but this was to be a low level walk along a signposted path. Myself and Yuliya and our 9 year-old son set off for what I saw as little more than a ramble to Achmelvich AND BACK.
All was going well though we had to brush past some high bracken which I always associate with ticks. Perhaps there are not many deer in the area to support a tick population. Either way, we remained clear of ticks. On approaching Ardroe, their spirits still seemed high.
In the photo below, it looks like Yuliya was carrying Peter in her backpack, but she was not.
In the photo below, it looks like Yuliya was carrying Peter in her backpack, but she was not.
The final section of path at Ardroe before joining a good track and then road.
Reaching a few goats added a bit of extra interest and a moment to pause. Everything was still a pleasant family day out.
However, after walking along the final section of road to Achmelvich, my wife's mood changed. She wanted to stop for a rest and stop right there with cars coming around the bend and no rocks or similar to sit on. We pick our stops for a rest, right? We do not just suddenly stop. This sense of not being able to go on was soon shared by our son.
It always amazes be how she is bull of endless energy when in a shopping mall, while I want to go for a pot of tea.
I pushed on, especially as I say a sign consisting or a knife and fork with an arrow pointing ahead. I reached a hatch selling drinks and snacks. When my wife caught up, she was not happy! I was not looking forward to their whinging for the 5 kilometres back. My wife declined a bottle of water and refreshments, I think out of protest, even though it would have helped!
It always amazes be how she is bull of endless energy when in a shopping mall, while I want to go for a pot of tea.
I pushed on, especially as I say a sign consisting or a knife and fork with an arrow pointing ahead. I reached a hatch selling drinks and snacks. When my wife caught up, she was not happy! I was not looking forward to their whinging for the 5 kilometres back. My wife declined a bottle of water and refreshments, I think out of protest, even though it would have helped!
Then a marvellous thing happened! A Rapsons bus arrived. On its side, it said Drumbeat-Lochinver-Ullapool. I asked my wife if she wanted to take the bus back to Lochinver. She thought that I was joking and was not in the slightest bit amused!
I went over to the driver and asked if he could take us to Lochinver. It turned out that the diversion to Achmelvich is b y request only. Someone had requested it and then not turned up so we had our own private bus back to Lochinver. I told her that it was all part of the plan and that it had been arranged..... and that if we had not pressed on, we would have missed the bus. She just about managed a smile. In fact their spirits quickly improved as we took the ride back to Lochinver. The driver even asked where we would like to be dropped off. The answer was an obvious one ...... the pie shop!
I went over to the driver and asked if he could take us to Lochinver. It turned out that the diversion to Achmelvich is b y request only. Someone had requested it and then not turned up so we had our own private bus back to Lochinver. I told her that it was all part of the plan and that it had been arranged..... and that if we had not pressed on, we would have missed the bus. She just about managed a smile. In fact their spirits quickly improved as we took the ride back to Lochinver. The driver even asked where we would like to be dropped off. The answer was an obvious one ...... the pie shop!
Image from rapsonshighland.com
After our pies and chips (and a can of wine for my wife), e had a wander through the village, popping into the shops and me taking photographs as usual. I was carrying two cameras, one fitted with a standard zoom and the other a telephoto prime, which is how I obtained the perspective of the war memorial below (and the close up of the goat above) rather than looking up at the monument.
We still had a 2-3 kilometre back to the B&B but everyone remained happy. I had narrowly escaped being in the doghouse.
Next time I will drive round to the end point and leave the car before hiking back to join my family!
Next time I will drive round to the end point and leave the car before hiking back to join my family!
