Log No 42. Sun 19th May 2013 - Inverness to Fortrose, 17 miles (710 miles walked)

There is no bus service from Kinloss on a Sunday which meant an hours walk into Forres to catch the 08.53 to Inverness.

Similar to yesterday's weather I needed my waterproof on as I set off at 10.00 in the mist and light rain.

Crossing the Kessock Bridge and getting down to Craigton Point I followed the road as far as it went, which wasn't far, then the supposed footpath by the foreshore. There was some evidence of it but I had to walk on slippery rocks and seaweed to get to Kilmuir.


From Kilmuir the headland round into Munlochy Bay was a cliff with steep slopes so I gave it a miss and headed inland using footpaths, tracks and minor roads.

I stopped at 12.00 for lunch near Pitlundie, it was still misty but the drizzle had stopped enough to take my jacket off. The ground was still very wet and I needed my waterproof trousers, my boots were getting a good test today.

When I got to Munlochy I had another break and finished off my lunch.

Coming round the other side of Munlochy Bay I went along a dismantled railway for a bit then cut across a field to a track at the edge of a wood before getting onto farm roads.

I got back to the shore at 15.15.

The mist was lifting and now that I was on roads I was thankfully able to take off my w/p trousers, I was getting hot with them on.

At Avoch I stayed on the main road to get to Fortrose, there was no path or verge but I was only on it for half an hour.

The sun had finally come out and it was warm walking along the footpath to Chanonry Point.
Yesterday Ardersier looked dismal but seen from here, all white in the sunshine, it looked a different place completely.

Chanonry Point is the favoured place for watching dolphins and there was plenty of watchers but no dolphins to be seen.

It was just a short walk now on the beach to get to the campsite just before Rosemarkie.

The tent was up by 17.00 and all was fine, the boots had held out well and I have yet to have wet feet.

17 miles today (plus 3 1/2 miles to Forres) but at a slower pace to yesterday's. There is no campsite to aim for tomorrow so I'll be looking for a good wild pitch.