LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I drove from the accommodation to Reay Village and parked opposite the Village Shop again, as I did the previous day. I started walking towards Thurso Town, my intended destination, with the object of catching the bus back to the car. I passed the lane to Sandside Harbour and continued along the straight A836 road, with good views across the Golf Course to Sandside Bay, and as the name implies the very sandy beach. I soon came to the Cemetery, a very well maintained picturesque location, with many very tall gravestones which reminded me very much of chess pieces. I saw lots and kings and queens but very few pawns. The inhabitants are obviously good chess players, with long winter nights to play competitions. As you would expect, soon after the cemetery I came to the small but very tidy whitewashed church, The North Coast Parish Church of Scotland. I didn't go into the church because there was a Service in progress. But I was tempted because I had heard that Prince Charles was in residence at Mey Castle for a short time, and there was a good possibility that he would be at the service. However, I had a bus to catch in Thurso, so I strode onwards not knowing if there were any possible hazards ahead. From the church I immediately encountered the Village War Memorial, on the Village Green, by a row of very attractive old cottages. This memorial is not to be confused with the New Reay Market Cross. This Cross is 'listed' and is located on 'The Terrace' near the Reay Shop. If you do visit the Market Cross, check out 'The Cross Slab', which is located in the Old Church. A short distance ahead from the memorial is another row of very attractive old cottages, just after the Reay Bridge over the Reay Burn. There are three cottages here and they are well worth a photograph if the weather is kind. After passing through New Reay Village and Reay Village on the A836 main road, a short distance further ahead I reached the junction of an unclassified road also leading to Thurso. This junction is a short distance after the bridge over the Burn of Isauld and opposite yet another row of attractive old cottages. I first encountered the A836 near the Village of Ardgay on the Dornock Firth, many moons before Reay, See Walk 1175. As my philosophy was to keep off main roads as much as possible, here I obviously took the unclassified road option, passing Shebster and Westfield Hamlets. This road was far more suitable for my adventure because it was very quiet with very few passing vehicles. This was ideal for enjoying the beautiful sounds and some smells of the open countryside. I was not disappointed, the weather was perfect and the countryside was lush, green and interesting with lots of different sights to see near and far. From the road junction I soon passed Achvarasdal Broch, an Iron Age defensive fort with very thick walls and no windows. If time allows I'm sure Achvarasdal would be very interesting to explore, but be careful not to trespass. I continued on the straight road with my eyes constantly looking around for anything interesting when I had a sudden glimpse of Dounreay Nuclear Power Station with its characteristic ball reactor building. I could only see this facility to the north for a very short while just before the first bend in the road. I used my camera with a good zoom to focus on the buildings and then zoom into the photo to obtain a good view. As I walked down the next section of straight road, I was very surprised to hear a hoot from a car behind me. I was walking on the right hand side of the road by the verge, so I was fairly confident that I wasn't in the way of any vehicle. To my amazement it was the Landlady of the Armadale House Bed & Breakfast with her assistant young helper. They were both waving like mad as they drove past me. What a very pleasant and welcome surprise. I discovered later that evening that they were on their way to Thurso for shopping and they had diverted their route to try and find me walking along the unclassified road. A little further along the road I came across a building which looked as though it was built as a church and was no longer used, so it had been converted to a home. Looking the opposite way, to the south and the extensive forest, I could see cattle chewing the cud in the field and a farmer in the field beyond installing irrigation or a cable. As I say, plenty to observe and enjoy. I few steps later I had rounded the Hill of Shebster, so I could clearly see the wind farm of Stemster Hill with all the turbines slowly turning in the breeze. A lovely sight for me as an engineer my entire working career. But I knew that these are not the same thoughts for many sections of society. Some think it's a blight on the skyline and others think it's a complete waste of money. With a few more steps along the road towards Thurso I entered the Hamlet of Shebster, at the crossroads, with Achreamie & Skaill Hamlets to the north, and Broubster & Shurrery Hamlets to the south. After another 1 Km of walking along a relatively straight lane, I saw Baillie Hill to the north and good views across the Forss Water valley to the south. After the Westfield Hamlet sign the lane turned slowly to the north or left, and approached the Bridge of Westfield over the Forss Water, with a view of the southern end of the Strath of Baillie. Immediately after the bridge the road turned sharply to the east, or right, and up a slope to some bungalows at a Cul de sac. I was especially impressed with the first bungalow because the garden was immaculate. After a couple of bends I came to Westfield Farm with its 'Wee Little Shop', a must visit if you are hungry or need provisions. I continued on the relatively straight lane into Thurso, passing through Jamestown and Newlands of Geise. But, at the road junction to 'Hill of Forss' I had to stop and take a photo, there before my eyes was a traditional red telephone box and a red post box. This reminded me that I was not only still in Scotland but still in Great Britain, although the scenery of the area was not typical of the British Countryside. I strode onwards, forever onwards, and I had a very pleasant unexpected surprise to see the cliffs of Dunnet Head in the far distance. I soon reached the road junction at Ormlie Road, B874 near River View Bungalow. The river wasn't visible at the junction but the River Thurso Valley soon opened up for a good view of the surrounding countryside. At the junction I noticed that the road sign wasn't level. It had obviously slipped the left hand side anchor point. I wonder if that is still the case today! I walked down the hill on the B874 with the Dunnet Head cliffs slowly becoming more and more visible. The sight was wonderful, a complete contrast to the busy town surroundings. As I continued down the hill I passed the Dunbar Hospital, the Town Boundary Sign with its adjacent Jubilee Bench, the University Campus, the High School, a good example of a typical large Scottish House, the Railway Station and when I reached the Old Town, St Peter's & St Andrew's Church, and Sir John's Square Gardens. I continued ahead to Olrig Street where I found the bus terminus. I studied the Bus Time Tables and realised I had sufficient time to explore some of the Town Centre. I caught the bus to Reay Village and kept a close look to the north so I could see the Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment from the main road. I collected my car by the Reay Village Store and drove back to Armadale House Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Another excellent day's walking in the varied scenery of the Scottish Highland north coast, in the sunshine. Recommended.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk,
Start: at KW14 7RQ - Reay Village Shop
Finish: at KW14 8EH - Thurso Town Centre, Olig Street/Traill Street