Today, Anne and I walked from Golspie to Brora following the coast. There are paths most of the way. We have intended to do this walk for a while now.
We drove to Golspie and parked on Duke Street near the Dairy Park. I was born in Golspie and started school there. My dad was Free Church minister. My mum used to take me here as a wee boy, I believe while still in my pram!
We had a bite to eat in the car and left just after ten. We crossed the wee bridge beside the ford and headed across the Dairy Park to Dunrobin Castle. Anne was viewing horrible bits of old drift wood which I refused to carry!
The grass was very wet after the night’s rain and I had on my new Tesco trainers! Dunrobin Castle is like a fairy tale castle and well worth visiting. But today we kept going. The track passes right in front of the castle. The sea wall was partially destroyed as we passed. I think that has happened since we were here last.
Just beyond the castle the path bears into woodland and into a clearing. The bluebells here were just stunning. A carpet of bluebells. And they were not fully out. What will it be like in another week? There were other flowers, too. I just love the primroses. But what a God. John Piper describes Him as resplendent. He doesn’t just make one or two living organisms but a huge, unthinkable variety. There are still ones never seen by man. But this display took my breath away.
We pushed on, past the sign and out of the wee wood and through an old gate.
The track goes through a field of very quiet cows. But it was wet and muddy.
It’s best to keep near the shore and avoid the two very muddy gates. Go round the fence onto the shore. We passed the Carn Liath Broch.
We have seen it several times so there was no need to deviate. Now we were on new territory. We passed this old tin barn. Seen better days. But it was packed full of old tyres. Why?
This lovely lady is my wife!
We kept to the field side a little longer but then went onto the beach. It was starting to get sandy. We had to cross a burn. Anne described it as the Tiber! I had kept my feet dry to now. Helping Anne across my foot slipped in. Oh dear. I had to stop and ring my sock out. Just off the beach was a waterfall and the pool it fell into gave the burn we had to cross.
The beach then got much sandier so we made good speed crossing it. We met a girl coming towards us and asked instructions how best to get into Brora. But she was Eastern European and knew Brora less well than us! She had a book with her. What a good idea. Sit out on a wild beach and read a nice book.
We kept going and met another girl with dogs. She gave us good instructions to go over a style and follow the grass track into Brora. This took us onto Market Street.
We passed the Fisherman’s Mission, then the Catholic Church and then the Free Church. Why is it that people who love Jesus can’t get on with and love each other. I include myself!
We went to the COOP and got juice (Pespi for me, Diet Irn Bru for Anne) and chocolate. We went to the public toilet. We also went to a wee thrift shop.
Then at about 12.30, our normal lunch time, we went down and sat on a bench outside the Catholic Church. Now I was really taken with this church. It wasn’t an attractive building. Modern in fact. But, it had a huge cross over the entrance. We in the Free Church look down on such icons. I wonder why? I know we can take our focus off our Saviour and worship the object. But isn’t the cross what it’s all about? Another thing I loved. It had the best name of any church I have ever seen – Christ the King Catholic Church. That’s who we worship, that’s who we love, that’s who we believe in – Christ the King.
About 12.50 we moved off on our return that bit stiffer and colder. I put my jacket on. We really went back the same way as we came. We found it easier to find the paths, and made quicker time. On the very sandy beach we saw two seals. We had seen a few seals on rocks in the sea as we were coming to Brora.
We stopped on the beach for a wee rest. It’s nice just to watch, listen and rest.
We recrossed the Tiber with more ease! I didn’t get my feet any wetter.
We re-passed the bluebell wood.
And a short bit further on the castle
We got back to the car just before 3. A lovely walk. 11.5 miles covered.
I so enjoyed this stress free day.