The Black Isle

This is night No.20/2019 living in my caravan. It's my second night at Rosamarkie C&CC Site on the Black Isle.


The weather had improved a lot overnight. I woke to a shower of rain battering off the van around 0545, but that was the last of the rain for today. Therefore, this was going to be a day of big walks.

The first big walk of the day was a circular route from Rosemarkie to Hillochhead, returning via the Fairy Glen.

Starts by an excellent coastal route, north along the beach.


A really fine coastal area, and very quiet. Virtually no debris or litter of any type.


The route leads first to a 'cave', Cairns Cave, which is really just a cliff shelter.


You could probably camp in it, but it would be quite open.


Some really impressive cliffs on this part of the Black Isle.


Lots of rock outcrops along the beach.


The route then leaves the beach and goes up ridiculously steep steps up the face of the cliff! This was a serious grunt!!


They felt like they went on forever. Very hard going.


The route leads up to where the 'Black Isle Yurts' are based. Gives amazing views back down from where I'd climbed.


One of the clifftop yurts. There was maybe 6?


The path leads up to the summit of Brown Hill with great views over the Moray Firth.


The spit of land where my caravan is seemed miles away.


The route then followed a quiet road, before turning in to the Fairy Glen.


Some terraced waterfalls on the way down the Glen to Rosemarkie.


After recovering, and getting some lunch, we headed up towards Cromarty to walk the path down to Eathie, an old salmon fishing station and a coast significant in the history of Hugh Miller.

A small parking space with lovely views across the Black Isle.


Yet another steep walk! The path zig zagged worryingly downhill. It was the return leg which concerned me!


The remains of the fishing station which ceased working in 1984. Very similar to St Cyrus, up my way.


A lovely little bay.


Just along the coast from the old station is an old salmon bothy, in very good order.


It's got some information about the fishery and Hugh Miller, and it was also used as a proper overnighting bothy. There was some spare food and directions where to find water, and a fireplace with fuel.


Old relics on the outside window ledge.


As expected, the return journey back to the car was a slog and a half! It was a surprising loss of height down to the waterside, and you definitely work to visit this place!

After returning to the car, took the short drive into Cromarty. Never been here before, it was a really beautiful village.

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