LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I decided not to bother with a bus but cycle from Strathrory car park (higher of two) to the start of the walk near Alness. I cycled downhill, but against a strong wind. I had to pedal nearly all the way down, the only respite was on the very steep section of road on the higher side of the river bridge, roughly half way down the cycle ride (Alness River). I walked past the traffic lights of the road works by the Alness River bridge, then rode past the farm workers planting seed potatoes. There was lots of dust from the tractors due to the recent dry weather. I turned right off the B9176 to the B817 and locked my bike to Cycle Route 1 post, opposite the house where I parked my car the day before. From my bike I walked back up the B9176 towards Ardross. There were good views of Cromarty Firth and the oil platforms 'parked' in the Firth. I passed over the bridge spanning the Alness River and took photos of the river below. Progress was slow up the steep gradient to Ardross, passed the primary school with its name in huge letters across the boundary fence by the road. Closer inspection showed the letters were made up of many empty plastic bottles, all pushed through the chain linked fence in positions to form the letters. All the many different coloured tops all added to the effect. It was very simple but really effective. I passed a plaque on a stone in memory of the London Scottish Regiment who marched across the Highlands in July 1937. I passed many pine trees blowing in the wind, but the wind turbines on the horizon were all motionless. Strange. As I continued and walked down to the river of Strathrory I noticed a pure white stone in the bank alongside the road. Over the narrow bridge and over the cattle grid to the car park, the end of the walk. I jumped in the car and drove down the hillside to Alness where my bike was locked to the post. I retrieved my bike and drove back up the B9176 and on to Bonar Bridge to find the next accommodation. A very eventful day, couldn't be planned if tried. All well laid plans go wrong at some stage.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Blackford .
Finish: at Inverness