02 November 2024Silver Bridge
Eleven members of Dingwall Field Club met at the Silver Bridge car park for a circular walk along the Blackwater River. The bridge was built in the early 19th century as part of the ancient drove road used to bring cattle from the north and west to Muir of Ord or Crieff and Falkirk. The drovers rested near the older Wade’s bridge at Little Garve. Wade’s bridge was actually built by Wade’s successor, Major William Caulfield and restored in 2007. It was part of a military road built between Contin and Poolewe in 1769 to help government troops move around the Highlands after Culloden.
Leaving the car park, we crossed the Blackwater via Silver Bridge. On the other side of the river we negotiated some irregular stone steps and passed under the new road bridge. A good path runs near peaty pools and gushing rapids all the way to Wade’s Bridge from where we took a more hazardous path along the other bank. Rowan trees were bright with red berries and the dying bracken was golden. We enjoyed the continuous sound of the river although it drowns any bird song. We even found a few late blaeberries!
After crossing the Wade’s Bridge we stopped for lunch at a picnic table, enjoying the mild weather for half an hour before moving on. Here one has to take care not to trip on exposed roots. As the Silver Bridge came into view we were tired but exhilarated as we climbed the final rocky assent back up to the car park.
05 October 2024The Field Club and the Fungus Monster
Dingwall Field Club headed to the south side of Loch Ness for October’s Saturday walk. We started from Dores Beach, crossing the shingle at the edge of the bay. The view up the loch was magnificent, with the striking outline of Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh dominating the middle distance. It was a mild calm morning with clear visibility and this encouraged lingering to admire, and take photos.
At the end of the beach we entered a privately owned woodland that is open to the public. We chose a path from which we looked down onto the loch; great views through gaps in well-spaced conifers. Underneath these, the rather tatty blueberry bushes and clumps of faded heather reminded people that it was now autumn, as did the mixed greens and browns of the bracken. Leaves on the scattering of deciduous trees showed signs of turning too. More mixed greenery was to be seen as the walk progressed and the sun came out. Many smaller paths wound through the wooded slopes above and below, but our wide path had a dry, hard surface all the way.
The remains of a disused pier provided an ideal lunching spot, with bits of old stonework to sit on. From here we looked over the water to Lochend, to our right. Directly opposite, the steep wooded slope was vaguely reminiscent of an Alpine scene in summer; a few little holiday chalets sat on open patches of green grass among dark firs. Further to the left, we could see white houses high on the hill - probably the edge of Abriachan. No traffic was heard from the road over there - apart from one motor bike in a hurry. A peaceful corner for our break.
We met no Nessie hunters, but a recent newspaper article reported that a boat’s sonar had picked up something unusual on Loch Ness on 22nd September. A plesiosaur type outline had appeared in different colours, indicating pockets of air and heat that suggested the object was alive...
We walked back along the same path, with sun lighting up the lush mosses and a variety of fungi. We wondered what creatures had eaten chunks out of many of these, especially the brittle-gills which seemed very popular. When we found an enormous black slug crawling near a broken toadstool, we guessed we had one answer. Only a few, very tiny chanterelles were found – maybe human predators had taken others.
A small clump of scabious plants were still in flower under the trees and one or two golden rod had a few petals left. Coal tits were in good voice. The sharp eyes of our walk leader picked up an amazingly long filament of spider’s web spanning a wide gap between two stately conifer trunks. A spider could be seen suspended in the middle of this fine thread.
Back at the start of the wood again, we emerged onto a path above the beach that was lined with tempting ripe brambles. A large inflatable boat was in the bay now, with several people on board, probably the one we had spotted from the old Tor Point pier. Maybe Nessie hunters - or tourists anyway. The only monster we had seen was a big black slug, but it was a very fine specimen indeed!
07 September 2024Ness Castle and Holm Burn
A hidden gem on the edge of lnverness.
DFC members met at a small parking area just off Dores Road – the start of the South Loch Ness Trail which ends at Fort August. This is marked by posts along the way bearing a small squirrel symbol. The wide path runs parallel with the busy Dores Road for a bit and on this misty morning whin bushes glistened with myriads of spider webs. The woods here are a mixture of broadleaved trees with blueberry bushes below.
The group left the main path to follow one through the estate called Ness Castle. In the 1760’s a Scot called Simon Fraser, who was a merchant in Gibraltar, acquired farm land near the town. There is no evidence of a castle but the grounds must have been large. It passed through many owners over the years and a large mansion stands at the centre. Huge oak and ash trees impressed the walkers.
At one point can be seen the brick base of a Nissen Hut. During WW2 the mansion housed officers and several Nissen Huts were used by lower ranks and Italian POWs.
The Holm Burn runs through the woods sometimes creating a deep gorge. Years of fallen leaves have made rich earthy banks which the burn is gradually undercutting. High above is the site of a motte but slippy steep banks are impossible to climb from this position. Towards the end of this circular walk a newly fallen tree meant the members had to tackle a mini assault course. Now surrounded by an ever increasing housing estate it is to be hoped that this excellent wild woodland will survive. The members were delighted to see the numbers of runners, bikers and dog walkers making use of the Ness Castle area so convenient for city dwellers.
