A Step Too Far - 2

We've walked this track many times in the past, in a past when we had a little more energy than we have today, but the temptation was to try it again, because the track leads on to an area which is full of both interest and special memories. But caution and our ages demand that we think carefully about walks which, if something were to go wrong, would mean we'd need help - and the last thing either of us would want to do is to have to call out the emergency services.

On the other hand, if we didn't walk that track in such perfect conditions, then the chances of doing it in the future would be much lower.

But.... But the temptation was there, the day was still beautiful, and we knew that most of the return walk was downhill with the light breeze behind us. So we set off.

We passed the wooden signpost which is probably noticed by few people today, with its views across to Loch Fleet, and, to the right, the hill called Silver Rock which, because it must have superb views from its summit, we had always planned to climb.

This is where we were heading for, Loch Lunndaidh, one of the main sources of water for the area - hence the weir over which pours....

....water the colour of whisky. This may be why the ancient clachan (village) whose remains can still be found if one had the energy to walk another mile to the far end of the loch, was reputed to produce the finest illicit whisky in the Golspie area.

This still would probably have been hidden in one of the small glens whose waters flow into the loch. Having found these stills before on Ardnamurchan, I know what to look for - but I no longer have the legs to scramble over the hills in search of it.

However, what I would most have liked to achieve on yesterday's walk was something which, had it so wished, would have come to me - the kingfisher I have seen just once, near the weir, back in July of last year.

Needless to say, it didn't put in an appearance, but what is heartening is the news that kingfishers have since been spotted on Loch Fleet and Loch Brora - so perhaps the species is beginning to thrive here enough to extend its range north.

So we turned back, but with a sense of achievement, and with the knowledge that, given the right conditions, we could do this walk again.