21 May 2013: 27km. Started 09:20. Arrived 16:30.
At breakfast I met some other guests – notably a couple from Orkney having previously lived in Inverness and returning to their old home area for a holiday. My hostess explained that over the years she has provided accommodation for a number of end to end walkers and cyclists.
Unfortunately my route this day was all on road. However I managed to miss main roads for most of the walk. There was a welcome pavement on the “A” road before I turned off on to a “B” road which was much quieter with a 3T weight limit which meant no lorries. Subsequently I was on the Route 1 cycle route – a minor road then a pavement on the main road followed by a service road alongside the main road into Dingwall.
In Dingwall there was opportunity to have coffee and cake at a café.
Soon after leaving Dingwall, I turned onto the Old Evanton Road which turned out to be a pleasant road to walk along. There were views across the Firth and again as yesterday towards snow-covered mountains.
I was at Evanton sooner than expected – it is certainly quicker walking on roads. I went to the campsite but was pleased to discover that the co-located bunkhouse was very good value. I enjoyed the luxury of a four bedded room to myself and there was a communal kitchen, dining and sitting area. I bought two for a price ready meals from the nearby Co-op and ate both of them. Later, a man arrived (Les Mac an Ultaigh) who worked as a tourist guide and regularly used the bunk house. We talked until much later than I had intended and he gave me some useful tips about my journey north suggesting that I divert to Dornoch and so avoid a dangerous part of the A9 – all very helpful.
Where's Kathryn? 