Left to right: Martin, Alan, Myself and Jackie
Sandwood Bay (Bàgh Seannabhad)
I am not giving the usual statistics at the start of this walk report as this is such an easy walk. There are no peaks bagged, but to camp at Sandwood Bay is a must for any hill-walker or mountaineer!
After a night at Arnoboll and stopping in Durness for petrol and provisions, I headed for Blairmore. I met my companions at the Walkhighlands meet at Inchnadamph the previous weekend and with the very wild weather over the weekend, their plans had a definite appeal so I tagged along . . . . And I'm very glad I did!
Alan warned us that the walk in is a bit boring but in such company and on an ever improving day, it was very pleasant.
After a night at Arnoboll and stopping in Durness for petrol and provisions, I headed for Blairmore. I met my companions at the Walkhighlands meet at Inchnadamph the previous weekend and with the very wild weather over the weekend, their plans had a definite appeal so I tagged along . . . . And I'm very glad I did!
Alan warned us that the walk in is a bit boring but in such company and on an ever improving day, it was very pleasant.
It was suggested that we camped just before the dunes as there was enough space for four tents and Alan wisely did not want sand in his tent. I fancied camping at the far end of the beach so that we could look down the length of the beach towards Am Buachaille and also be close to the river for washing pans etc. Alan and I went on a reconnaissance trip - we had to collect water anyway. I think we were also keen to get down onto the beach.
Alan returned back along the beach while I walked over the dunes and took a look at Sandwood Loch which can be easily overlooked due to its proximity to one of Scotland's most beautiful beaches.
Alan returned back along the beach while I walked over the dunes and took a look at Sandwood Loch which can be easily overlooked due to its proximity to one of Scotland's most beautiful beaches.
There were other possibilities but nowhere as suitable for four tents and we returned to the other two and set up camp. I concede that they were right, though it may have been a bit less midgy camping in the dunes as the midges were out the following morning!
Having eaten and relaxed, we headed back down to the beach for the sunset. It was not quite a perfect sunset as the sun disappeared behind a bank of cloud to the west but still incredibly beautiful.
The surf washing over the ridge in the sand is reminiscent of the floppy watch faces in Salvador Dali's paintings. . . .
For those of us that love the outdoors, we not only see beauty in the stars at night, the open seas or landscapes formed over millions of years, but sometimes we see beauty in the simplest of things . . . .
The skies became increasingly spectacular. Jackie is silhouetted against a sunburst finish to the day.
I crossed the river and scrambled up the side of the hill in bare feet to look down the length of the beach towards Am Bauchaille and watch the final setting of the sun before returning to camp for red wine and some pleasant fireside company.
Jackie and Martin were up to see the sunrise but I slept through - the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. The morning bought more sunshine . . . . and midges.