LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I drove from Lairg to Altnaharra along the A836 road to the junction with the B873, where I found a shale car park near Loch Naver. I left my car close to a new storage unit or work unit, so it looked as if I was inside the building. This is a very sparsely populated part of the United Kingdom, so the chances of seeing a person or a vehicle are small. With nobody around and no cars in sight, I removed my bicycle from the car and put on my high visual clothing and protective garments. I was ready for the ride to Crask to continue my journey towards John 'o Groats. I passed over the River Mudale, alongside the Church, School, Hotel & Lodge, to turn right with the A836 Main Road to round the Altnaharra Wood & the Choc Vagastie hill. Here I entered the Strath Vagastie, with the River Vagastie always on my left until near the top of the valley at the small Vagestie Bridge. The valley was extremely beautiful in the summer sunshine & slight breeze. I slowly climbed up the Strath on my bike, passing two coniferous woods on my right, numerous tributaries of the River Vagastie on both sides of the valley and two mountains. Beinn na Glas-Choille on my right and Meall nan Uan on my left. I rode continuously until I reached the bridge where I started to walk towards The Crask hill near the saddle of the valley. I remounted the bicycle after the strip of wood on my left but before the wooded strip on my right, where the gradient of the road was suitable. I never fall off my bike when I remount my bicycle but I always wobble, so care is always required. It was an easy glide down the road on the southern side of The Crask hill to the Crask Inn. With the day's cycling completed I locked my bicycle in the car park to a post and prepared for my walk down the Strath Vagestie to my car at the road junction just after Altnaharra Village. I much prefer to walk rather than cycle if possible, so I can absorb more of the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside around me. I walked up the hill towards The Crask and passed between the two strips of woods on my right and left. Soon after the brow of the road the strip of wood on my left ended but the strip on my right continued to almost the Vagastie Bridge. Here the River Vagastie could be seen to meander down the valley towards Loch Naver, sometimes close to the road and sometimes in a deep ravine. Opposite the first wood on my left I came to Vagastie Farm where I was surprised to see a small herd of Cattle in the distance, all grazing on the warm hillside. Further down Strath Vagastie and opposite the second wood, the river came close to the road at a small wooded area, creating a very picturesque scene, especially at the small waterfall. It's always important to stop walking for a while and turn right around to observe the complete surroundings. No more so than this walk, with the mountains all around constantly changing. As I reached the lower slopes of Strath Vagastie and Loch Naver slowly became more and more into view, I saw less and less of the River Vagastie. Not because it was further way, but because the river was more and more hidden in the ravine. This was mainly due to the depth of the ravine, but also because of the trees nestling in the shelter of the ravine and away from the wind and the winter storms. The course of the river was clearly visible but the river wasn't. I eventually reached the Choc Vagastie and the Atlnaharra Wood on my left and the welcome Altnaharra Village Sign just before the Altnaharra Lodge and the bend in the road to the left, rounding Altnaharra Wood. A little further into the village, I came to the Altnaharra Hotel, a very welcome sight for lots of travelers in the past. I thought about a drink but then realised I still had much to do besides walking. So I continued through the village passing the School, Church and Bridge over the River Mudale to reach my parked car and the end of the walk. I still had to collect my bicycle and find my night's accommodation. Another excellent day's walking in the Highlands of Scotland, this time, down Strath Vagastie. Keep posted folks, not many more sections until I reach John 'o Groats.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Crask Inn
Finish: at Road Junction A836/B873