Bella’s Bothy

This delightful little cottage is the start of a very familiar walk and I always think how lovely it is (shame about the wire.)

I was going to post another beach as it’s one we haven’t seen before which is a surprise as this is the fourth time we’ve done this walk. Once on our very first visit and then each of the last three consecutive years. It seems to be Chris’s favourite.

It was totally clear this morning, I wasn’t surprised as I woke during the night and the night sky was amazing, I even woke Chris to see it and he appreciated it.
As it was a good forecast we decided not to head to the Nth coast, thereby spending a lot of time in the car, but to stay local. The wind was less today so I walked without a coat.
The walk passes the road to the Youth Hostel which Grace told us is now privately run. We noticed a sign which said no vehicular access but walkers were welcome to the hostel and beach. Never seen this before so we had to take a look.
A small, pink sand beach with great views over the Summer Isles - extra. The main island, Tanera Mor can be clearly seen. It’s only one inhabited and recently bought by some one with a lot of money. There used to be a few holiday lets and a PO with cafe and shop. The locals are happy as it is providing good employment for young people of the area but reports suggest that, when finished, accommodation will be £1500 per night with a minimum stay of 3 nights. Won’t be trying it out then!

Went along above the coast to Culnacraig, the end of the road. Good views over The Minch and we saw the Caledonian MacBrayne boat out of Ullapool to Stornaway on Lewis. We’ll be up early on Saturday to catch it.

We call it the ‘Postie walk’ but it isn’t really. You go another 8 miles along the mountainside to Strathcanaird which used to be the route of the postman. Not only are you warned it is quite dangerous, no real path, but you then really need someone at the other end to bring you the 20+ miles back by road. (I do know there are blippers who have done it.)

The bit I don’t like is walking back the 2 miles on the road. It’s a single track road and no one passed us in either direction but it seems hard work. Most people use it to get to the parking bays for ascent of Ben Mor Coigach which my son in law likes to run up!
There are great views all the way of the Summer Isles. (Exactly what I posted on this day last year!) Back at the start we decided to do the extra 300 yds to see the Youth Hostel which has now got the ever popular ‘Pods’. Extra 2. We were accompanied by a Cuckoo and saw it in a fence as we did last year.

A tasty lunch at the Piping School, soup and savoury scone and we bought some cake for tea. A look around the Achiltiebuie Arts at the Community centre, a couple of things that might tempt me back and then on to Polbain and the Summer Isles Studio, some wonderful ceramics. It was newly open last year and we talked so much that I didn’t properly look around. My vase form Grace, decorated with Barnacle Geese, came from here. We had stopped off at Badentarbet beach where they were litter picking on Sunday. I noticed that the top of the beach was still full of plastic. I mentioned this to the lady who had been part of the picking team. She said they had left the top of the beach as it is a nesting sight for Ringed Plovers and their nests and eggs are so small they could easily be damaged. So good people know what they are doing.

Sun’s still shining, don’t know if it can last. In the garden, when we got back a saw Song Thrush being followed by two open beaked young. Lovely sight.
Going to do a bit of sewing tonight.

( Sorry I know write too much but it is my holiday diary. Feel free not to read it!)