Today we left Drumnadrochit and headed to Dingwall
Today we had Mike and Ben (Ken) walking with us and Elizabeth and Lynn providing the logistical support.
It had been raining heavily all night and all the predictions were that this would continue for most of the day. We all arrived downstairs for breakfast at our agreed (by the hotel) time of 8am to discover nobody present – after several phone calls and no progress we left without breakfast as we couldn’t wait any longer. Elizabeth, Lynn and Dal were staying a bit later and I believe suitable reparations were made by the hotel. So after a coffee stop at the first petrol station we headed up a nasty hill in the pouring rain – to say there were rivers flowing down the road would be an understatement. The hill was about 160m climb in about 30 mins – so pretty steep. The rain didn’t abate at the top but at least we were walking on the flat.
We made our way into Beauly by crossing the River Beauly and buying some lunch in a very nice delicatessen opposite the Boer War memorial. While lunch was packed away for later in the afternoon we did avail of coffee and some awesome scones.
After leaving Beauly we spotted a group of Alpacas who, while being very curious, look so funny with their hair styles. There were also a couple of Highland Cows that were doing their best not to be photographed but with a bit of patience the mugshots were taken. Highland Cattle are a Scottish breed of rustic cattle. They originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland and have long horns and a long shaggy coat. They are a hardy breed, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. The first herd-book dates from 1885 and there are two types – a smaller island type, usually black, and a larger mainland type, usually dun – both were registered as a single breed.
We saw Ben Wyvis in the distance (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Uais, meaning “hill of terror”). The mountain (1046m) stands on the northern edge of historic lands of Clan Munro. By tradition, the Munros held their land from the Crown. The king declared that they held their lands on condition of furnishing a snowball at midsummer if required. This condition they could easily fulfil, as snow was to be found in some of the mountain corries of their property all year round.
We passed some fly fishermen in the River Conon on our way into Dingwall (home of Ross County Football Club) and our accommodation for the night. The rain had stopped shortly after Beauly so we were mostly dried out by the time we finished walking.
Tomorrow we head to Tain.
