Log No 41. Sat 18th May 2013 - Nairn to Inverness, 19 miles (693 miles walked)

Waking up to rain I checked the forecast to find it was to last all day. An ideal day to have a rest day but having just restarted my walk I'll have to put my waterproofs & boots to the test.

Since I would be wearing waterproofs all day I only needed a bum bag to hold my lunch and I wouldn't bother taking my walking poles as I would be on roads a lot of today.

I got the bus to Nairn and started walking at 10.00, I almost felt naked with nothing on my back and in my hands. The rain wasn't heavy and seemed to be from the east so I didn't notice it too much.

With the map showing marshy ground, a platform construction yard and MOD danger areas I used roads to get to Fort George. A short stretch of the A96 out of Nairn, the B9092 towards Ardersier then a minor road going past Balnagowan and Kirkton, arriving at 11.40.

Fort George is unusual in that it is a working barracks and a museum open to the public.

There was no walking on the beach this time as it looked more like mud flats so I walked along the grassy path into Ardersier.

The rain had stopped so I had a quick break on a bench for some of my lunch.

With the shore being all pebbles & rocks I stayed on the road.

Going by a wood near Inverness Airport I was attracted by the colours so stopped to take a picture.

I had intended getting back onto the coast to go round Alturlie Point but when I got to the end of the road by the church I didn't like the look of the way down, it looked decidedly wet.

I'm sure if I had been coming the other way I could have found a way up okay.

Sticking to the road I went by Castle Stuart, eating the rest of my lunch as I walked.

After going under the railway bridge I joined the A96, this was very busy and there was no cycleway but the grass on the verge was short so it wasn't too bad.

I was only on it for half an hour before I was able to re-cross the railway line and get onto a very minor road beside the shore at Milton.

At the end of this short road the tarmac continued and this was presumably a cycle/pedestrian way at one point but now must be disused as it was blocked off at the end at the junction of the A96 with the A9.

Luckily a conveniently missing upright in the metal fence gave me access up onto the road.

It was 15.00 and I headed into Inverness on the B865, stopping at Morrisons for a little bit of shopping before catching the 16.00 bus back. I had done 19 brisk miles with only one 15 minute stop.

This is my last night at Peter's and it will be back to carrying a full pack.