Log No 69. Sun 16th Jun 2013 - Gleann Ardbhair to north of Culkein, 16 miles (1145 miles walked)

The wind had dropped during the night and the midges were waiting for me. They didn't bother me when I did come out until I took the tent down then they had nowhere to go but around me.

I was going to try the coastline again, the contours didn't look too bad round the next section.

Getting down to Loch Ardbhair was straightforward then I cut across to Loch a' Meallard and onto the coast where the heather had given way to grass.

The going was easy enough until I came to the wooded areas along the side of Loch Nedd.

I didn't think it would be too bad with it being a deciduous woodland and it was fairly open but full of ferns (tick territory) and on a steep slope.

It took me an hour to get through a half mile section.

I won't be attempting any more of these unless there is a path through.

Back on the road I went through Nedd and onto Drumbeg.

When I was in Scourie I had picked up enough provisions for 3 breakfasts & lunches and 2 meals, planning to re-stock In Drumbeg.

The signs said Drumbeg had the best village shop in Scotland, unfortunately it is closed on a Sunday.



I tried to get on the coast again at Oldany but found the start was a wooded slope (not shown on the map). So I stayed on the road until Clashnessie where the coastline looked promising.

At last, a coastline I could walk on.

With no problems I walked until 16.15 then pitched the tent in a relatively sheltered spot just after the headland of Rubh' an Dunain.

I spent the first hour pulling out ticks.

Dinner was a delight, from the bottom of the rucsac I found a packet of noodles and a packet of savoury rice, at least it was a 1000 calories and I had a few chocolate digestives left. I resisted eating tomorrow's sandwiches.

16 miles in 8 hours.