Saturday 28th October 2023
Walk Tick Points:
- Parking: Yes, small layby opposite footpath
- Poo bin: No
- Terrain: Flat, track path leading to grass paths (tidal so wet)
- Walk length: 1.97miles // 45mins
- Score: 7/10 – Lot’s more to explore but had to come back along the same path
As the Embo end of the Coul Links run right behind out house, we’ve had a bit of an explore. It’s very wet here at the moment and as we often come across submerged paths, ponds and bogs, we’re holding off a proper explore until it dries out a bit.
As our Skelbo walk was so short and we had some time before we had to be home (for tide clocks and plumbers), we decided to stop here on the way home. We’d passed this path a few times and it was one the local butcher recommended when I got chatting to her.
We’ve walked most the way along the John o’ Groats trail from the Embo end and we’ve of course walked along the beach from Embo dozens of times but we’ve never managed to get mouth by Loch Fleet. From the car, there’s a clear and wide tracked path along Loch Fleet.
I was so eager to get to the mouth where the loch meets the sea that I was taken by surprise when I looked to the left and saw the vastness of the loch and Creag An Amalaidh and Mond Rock (I think that’s what they’re called). Even with the drizzle and wind, it was very pretty.
We walked past what’s left of the old pier which the information board informed us used to be used by a ferry over to Littleferry.
As we got towards the mouth, the sea looked amazing. Seeing the little waves crashing over the currents of the loch water trying to get to the sea and the sea water trying to get into the loch.
The inlets, pools and estuaries cut through the land but as there was a clearly trodden path we carried on exploring. We walked round the encroaching bodies of water towards the dunes but had to turn around sooner than we’d have liked to make it back in time. Given we were exploring at (almost) low tide, I’d assume it gets much wetter but the paths were still very traversable.
The dogs loved exploring this walk. I was worried it might be too much for Elodie after our previous walk around Skelbo but she was just as keen. Despite the trodden and grass paths, I assume this walk was more reminiscent of a beach walk for them. We even got a Husky Tumble (where Shadow throws himself to the ground to roll about in what we always prey isn’t poop) – todays Husky Tumble was over a whelk which was promptly returned to water. Osric found several pieces of seaweed to pick up and shake and Shadow and Elodie went hunting for dead crabs. I always worry they’ll tire of beach walks, but so far, they’re loving them.
There were a few well trodden paths, and had we had more time (and not been worried about our recuperating greyhound), I’d have loved to explore more. One day we will walk the full loop from home long here. You’ve got the stunning hills in the distance on one side and the open North Sea on the other, you really are spoilt for choice.
We only encountered two other people as we walked back towards the car. Despite the sign asking dog owners to keep their dogs on leads, there’ll always be those who believe they’re the exception (as we encountered on our way back). Given this is clearly a haven for twitchers, we made every effort to make sure our dogs (who are always on a lead), stayed out of the undergrowth and didn’t worry the birds on the water.
All in all, we walked for 45mins and just under two miles (again, with plenty of stops to admire the scenery).
With another 45mins along the beach later in the evening, the boys got their walkies for the day and Elodie got to accompany her pack for once.
My Highland Haven 