Coigach and the Summer Isles

We had another flat ferry crossing back to Oban on the mainland from Mull. It was late so we found a lovely carpark beside a church - it was listed on the local Council website as a camper overnight park up spot. The church is a really interesting building but we noticed it had a sold sign up and was no longer having services, so it will probably end up as a home for someone.

We were serenaded by a very vocal Song Thrush in the beech tree beside us late into the night and early again the next morning. We never knew they sang so much - we don't really have them much in our garden at home. 

We then drove up beside Loch Ness to stay in Beauly for the night. Did we mention it was hot again?! We enjoyed a local beer with some food outside while Purdy enjoyed some sunbathing.

We continued north west to the Coigach peninsula and arrived at a campsite overlooking the Summer Isles at Port a Beigh. Its quite remote down a long single track road, through some amazing mountain scenery. The area is within a Geopark, which is very interesting if you like geology :)

We had a lovely pitch overlooking the beach, although this also meant that we were very exposed during a couple of very windy days and nights (Dee thought we might tip over!). 

On our first day we hiked up Stac Pollaigh (Polly) - one of the mountains nearby. The weather was ideal - not much wind and not too cold or too hot (sunny days hiking makes Purdy flag)! The last part was quite rocky for Purdy so we took it in turns to reach the top.

This is Stac Pollaigh

This was the base camp while the other
person went up the summit

Stac Pollaigh near the summit

The area is very well-known for its geology and there are various interesting sites in the North West Highland Geopark. We visited one at Knockan Crag where the upper level of rocks are older than the ones underneath, as the Moine Thrust Belt pushed the bottom rocks to the top during a collision.

Knockan Crag

Phil had an evening hike behind the campsite to a couple of small peaks (Meall an Fheadain and Meall Chaisteil) with good views over to the Summer Isles, while Purdy and Dee had some girls time!

View of Summer Isles in the distance

We went on a lovely circular hike nearby with a picnic for the day. It started at Achvraie, via Achduart and Culnacraig before finishing with another swim on a lovely sandy beach!

Purdy flaked out again!

After 4 nights we left Port a Beigh and drove north for a night at Scourie, overlooking the bay. It's right on the NC500 (a very popular driving route) so busy but also a lovely location. We had a pitch up out of the way and enjoyed another lovely, sunny evening.

From Scourie we continued north 'over the top' (very busy) with a brief stop at Smoo Cave (where we met a group of Dutch bikers) and a lovely wild camp before we arrived at Wick, where we would stay our last night on the mainland before our ferry to Shetland.

A boat trip in the cave with some mad Dutch bikers!

A quick stop for a photo at John o'Groats and Dunnets Head.

The sign showing our next stops - 8m and 152m!