September 2017 – Walking the Coast of Great Britain

184. Liddesdale to Kinlochteagus

I had planned to sleep in the back of the car close to the Lochaline ferry jetty, but bright lights and the hum of a nearby generator serving the Cal Mac ferry berthed up for the night, meant I would get little sleep. So I drove around to the deserted road to Kinlochteagus and parked in small Forestry Commission car park at Aoineadh Mor, close to the site of a village emptied in 1824 during the Highland Clearances.

The following morning I set off on my bike to cycle the 2 miles to the A884 road, park my bike and catch the 8:15 school bus #507 to Liddesdale. I was walking the route in reverse because of the public transport timings. The bus dropped me off at the end of the road to Laudale. I followed the public road alongside Loch Sunart for 2 miles, where it became a private road on the Laudale Estate. It was a very dark, grey and gloomy morning with a very gusty wind. I felt it would begin raining at any moment, but true to the forecast, it never did.

When I reached Laudale House a polite notice asked walkers pass around the house via the shore route. I rejoined the main road track which snakes its way north-west along Loch Sunart. I could make out Strontian, Resipole and Salen across the loch and the area where I would be walking on my next trip. I pass a recently forested section and pass some diversion signs for Walkers walking the Coffin Track. At Rubha aird Earnaich, Loch Sunart turns to the south-west and I continue to follow the Estate track for another 4 miles. The track is in good condition and appears to have vehicles driving up it. I am only offered some glimpses of the Loch as the foliage, which although turning brown is still extensive.

Entering Glen Laudale with Meall an Damhain in the distance

Typical view following the coastal track

I make good time as I enter the Glencripesdale Estate and come across a Landrover heading towards me. I chat to the Keeper, who says my intended route up to the Bealach Sloc an Eich (below Beinn Ghormaig) was in a bad way with a great deal of blown over trees. He said a couple of blokes who came over that way last year, said it was very difficult to find any path. He offered an easier, quicker(?) but longer route on one of the Estate roads which would go all the way to Kinlochteagus (where I was heading). I had a quick think and set off in the direction he suggested. He was going 3 miles up the same road to do some work and offered me a lift which I politely refused. I was slightly uncomfortable in that this route would be going off my map, but I persevered. Almost an hour later I met up with the chap again and he gave me the final pointer, which was quite straightforward. However, I did have second thoughts about this route, due to its up and down nature and the fact I had climbed far more in height and walked some 3 extra miles than my original route. I was now heading for the Bealach to the right of the hill that was now dominating my view – Beinn Iadain (571m). Beinn Iadain is a striking hill with its prominent rock bands of basalt and Upper Cretaceous sandstones, shales and mudstones.

Looking down a very gloomy Loch Sunart at Glencripesdale

Heading for the bealach to the right of Beinn Iadain

For Shills: I first thought this hill was the one Rounsfell wrote about in his recent report …… although the report was about Beinn na h-Uamha (some 110m lower than Beinn Iadain). Its quite amazing how similar in shape, aspect and geology these two hills which sit just two miles apart.

I emerge from the forest and climb a deer fence to pass from the Glencripesdale Estate over into The Rahoy Estate. Its all downhill now as I follow the Estate track down to the isolated hamlet of Kinlochteagus, with its scattering of cottages. I still have almost 2 miles to walk back up the road to the car park at Aoineadh Mor.

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23845

Distance today = 21 miles
Total distance = 3,216 miles

183. Lochaline to Kinlochteagus

I had changed my mind a couple of times on how to tackle the next two remote walks along the northern coast of Morvern. I was originally going to do a single walk with an overnight wild camp roughly half-way. However, I did not fancy carrying a full weight rucksack over 40 miles – unless I really had to. So I decided to break the northern section into two walks.

I had also changed my normal procedure in driving to the Highlands. Instead of setting off after a few hours sleep and then driving up through the night. I decided to drive up in the late afternoon of the day before and sleep in the car. This allowed me a better nights sleep and had me more refreshed to start the walk the following day.

After an overnight stop at Dalrigh near Tyndrum, I headed to the Corran Ferry to catch the 6:30 across to Ardgour. First port of call was the end of the public road at Kinlochteagus, where I dropped off my bicycle. I then drove around to Lochaline and parked up at the ferry terminal. It was a lovely sunny morning with a stiff breeze. No need for public transport today as I would be walking to my bicycle. Before I set off I got some early morning carbs down me, as I had realised as I drove up that I had left all my cooking gear – cutlery, crockery and stove – at home! Doh! So I bought a nice haggis burger with bacon and a cup of coffee from the snack shop at the ferry terminal.

I set off down the Drimnin road at 8:15 and the road was quite quiet enough to relax and not worry too much about traffic. I had great views across the Sound of Mull towards Mull, I was also walking with my back to the wind which made for quick progress. The Sound of Mull dominated my view and I could see a number of boats going up and down the Sound. After a couple of miles I could see a naval vessel travelling south towards me. I examined it through my small binoculars and could see that it was a Norwegian vessel – M352. I later found out this was an Alta-class Minesweeper called Rauma and was built-in 1996.

I came to Clach na Criche (The Wishing Stone), which appears to be a vertically inclined basalt dyke, with a large hole in it. Legend says that the stone would grant a wish to anybody that passes through the hole without touching the sides. I climbed through the hole ok, but would have to say the only way to pass through the hole without touching the sides would be to attempt a Fosbury Flop, although the landing may be rather painful with all the rocks thereabouts.

Looking north up The Sound of Mull from West Pier, Lochaline

Norwegian Minesweeper Rauma – M352 in the Sound of Mull

Looking north towards Ardnamurchan, with Tobermory left

Looking south down the Sound of Mull with Ben More in cloud

As I approached Drimnin I could see the picturesque village of Tobermory on Mull. I could also see the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, which I would be walking around in weeks to come. The path around Drimnin House had directed me up the hillside onto the old drovers road east to the former old inn at Diorlinn. The drovers road is a delight with high level walking at a steady height with views across to Sgurr na Seilg, Kilchoan, down Loch Sunart and Ben Hiant on Ardnamurchan. The track ran for about 5 miles above Loch Sunart before it dropped down through the cliffs at Sgeir Bhuidhe and across the Drambuie Bridge to Druimbuidhe (which was occupied). Approaching Diorlinn the path petered out and I knew I had to negotiate about 700 metres of very rough pathless ground. After beating my way over bog, bracken and waist-high vegetation I found the path I was looking for. I passed through a deer fence and continued along an ATV track. I had entered Loch Teacius and the path I was now on would take me through a series of forestry roads all the way to Kinlochteagus.

On the drovers road looking across to Ben Hiant and Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan

Looking east along Loch Sunart on the drovers road

Looking back up Loch Teacuis at Kinlochteagus

After something like 8.5 hrs walking I arrived at my bike. I now had to cycle 7.5 miles back to Lochaline which was tough going as the wind that was with me in the morning was now a headwind, and a strong one at that!

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23844

Distance today = 23 miles
Total distance = 3,195 miles

122.a Knott End to Fleetwood

My local football team was playing an away match at Chorley today, so I thought it would be an opportune time to do one of my outsanding to do ‘used’ Ferry links. The only left in north of Devon was the walk around the Wyre Estuary between Knott End and Fleetwood which I had previously bypassed.

I drove to and parked at the large free car park in Knott End. The River Wyre was at low tide and I could see the ferry-boat on the Fleetwood side, marooned on a muddy bank. There is a huge tidal range here, some 8 metres plus! I set off walking along the river bank and am soon diverted inland across the golf course. I soon realise that this is not the route of The Wyre Way, which I am following for most of the todays walk. I soon get myself back on the correct path. I arrive at Barnaby’s Sands, a salt marsh, and walk along the top of a levee, built to keep flood tides out of the surrounding land. I then enter Burrows marsh, another salt marsh, this time walking below the levee. I continue along Burrows Lane, through the small hamlet of Staynall and along Wardleys Lane into the village of Hambleton. I walk around Wardleys Creek, a small inlet of The Wyre. There is marina, of sorts here, most of the yachts have seen better days and are moored in what are described as “Mud Berths”. The low tide has left just a trickle of water in these creeks. The river course continues to make a series of turns and I can see the tide is still well out. I follow a path of sorts over the flood plain. I had decided to wear my walking shoes, knowing that I may get my feet wet along this section. Although I avoided many of the wet patches I arrived at The Shard Bridge, which crosses The Wyre, with wet feet.

Looking across The Wyre towards Fleetwood, the ferry can be seen grounded on the mud

Looking up The River Wyre from Knott End

Looking downstream from The Shard Bridge over The Wyre

I crossed over the bridge and almost immediately began following another wet trail on the opposite side of the river. I arrived at Skipool Marsh and headed inland slightly to join a busy roundabout and soon turned to walk along a tidal road around Skipool Marsh. I passed a series of raised wooden jetty’s, most in a dilapidated state, setting out from the road and path. For about a mile I passed many moored boats in a varied state of repair. The walking underfoot was good, with a firm hardcore path to walk along. I emerged onto an even wider path that came from the Wyre Country Park, which I soon passed through. I passed many walkers, mainly with dogs. I walk alongside the site of the old ICI Chemical works at Hillhouse, mostly used for the making of Chlorine. The works closed in 1992 and had its own power station (now demolished). Most of the works seem to have been taken over by an assortment of other businesses. A large palisade fence keeps the old site and shoreline path separate. To avoid lagoons, marsh, sewage works and docks I head inland onto a busy road. I pass at least 3 holiday parks on the way. At the roundabout I walk along a busy road until I come to Copse Road, which takes me through the suburbs of Fleetwood. I pass many commercial and industrial units along the way, including the Fisherman’s Friends (menthol and eucalyptus lozenge) factory, which are still made in Fleetwood. I walk along the high street and decide it would be nice to have some fish and chips. I don’t think much fish is landed at Fleetwood these days. I arrive at the ferry landing stage. The River has undergone a transformation, with very choppy conditions on a now full Wyre estuary. I pay £2 to cross over on the ferry to my car parked at Knott End.

Looking back at the ferry and Fleetwood from Knott End

Distance today = 15 miles
Total distance = 3,172 miles

182. Kingairloch to Lochaline

The main reason for coming slightly inland and not follow any coastal route was to visit the Graham – Beinn Mheadhoin (739m). The hill has commanding views and with the weather looking good, hopefully I would not be disappointed.

I spent the night in my car at the remote car park at Loch Uisge. It was very peaceful and a slight breeze kept the midge away. With nobody within miles of the place I was treated to a wonderful clear night with a sky full of stars.

The plan for the day was to drive about 14 miles around to Lochaline, dropping my bike off at the B8043 road end on the way. I parked my car near the jetty at Lochaline and got myself a coffee from the snack shop near the ferry terminal. I then called Kingairloch Estate, to enquire about the stalking. Yes, you guessed it, they were stalking exactly where I wanted to go on Sgurr Shalacain. I told them where I intended to go and asked for an alternative route, but was advised “to go elsewhere”. Sorry that’s not good enough and not within the spirit of the access code. I then decided to make a reasonable adjustment to my intended route.

I caught the Shiel bus service #907 towards Fort William and got off at the road end to Kingairloch. Here I jumped on my bike that I had stashed away earlier in the morning and cycled back down to Loch Uisge. I had decided not to use the stalkers path which would have got me a good way up onto the Shalachain ridge from the car park. Instead I decided to walk down the road, pushing my bike, that I had just cycled along. After about 2 miles I dumped the bike and began to make my way uphill. I intended to take a long sweeping circular route around Meall a’choire Bheithich to the west, gaining height slowly and eventually headings towards Beinn Mheadhoin. I was 2 miles away, downwind and out of sight for the majority of the walk, so hopefully I would not disturb anyone.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and it was extremely hard work gaining the height through the long grass, bog and uneven terrain. Most the surrounding hills were cloud-free, but Beinn Mheadhoin which although was not in sight yet, had some dark clouds above it. It took about 2.5 hours to reach the summit of Beinn Mheadhoin and I encountered just a single stag who headed off in the direction of Sgurr Shalachain.

Contouring around Meall a’choire Bheithich

Approaching the summit of Beinn Mheadhoin

Although the summit was cloud-free, low cloud prevented extensive views. I was able to make out the peaks of Rum, Sgurr Dhomhnuill, Beinn Resipole and great views down Loch Linnhe. I could hear sounds of plant coming from the Glensanda quarry, but could not see anything. I could also hear the bellowing of the stags on the nearby hill of Meall na h-lolaine, obviously The Rut had already begun.

From the summit I headed south down alongside the Eas na Fidhle ravine. Although grassy, the underfoot conditions were poor, especially in the longer grass. I descended to the Allt Buidhe Mor and then over the shoulder of the gently sloping hill of Caol Bheinn. I was heading for a footpath that came up from the Glensanda quarry and would continue west alongside the isolated Caol Lochan. I now had a better view of the Glensanda Quarry with workers in bright orange overalls dotted on the mountainside and heavy plant operating. I was now on a footpath marked on the map heading west, unfortunately the ‘footpath’ was no more than a muddy deer track. I found no foot prints at all along its length. The path continued and passed Loch Tearnait. As I neared the Bothy at Leacraithnaich the path disappeared entirely. I popped into the bothy and I am pleased to report it was in excellent condition. I read in the Bothy visitors book that it had been occupied just three times in September. I also joined with a couple and their three dogs who were returning from a visit to the Loch and also heading towards Ardtornish, where they were parked. Coincidentally, it turned out that they were also staying in one of the Kingairloch Estate cottages, just opposite the couple I had met yesterday evening.

Looking SW down Loch Linnhe, with low cloud obscuring the view

Looking towards Loch Tearnait, in the far distance is the Sound of Mull

The route ahead alongside the Eas na Fidhle ravine

Gate to Nowehere – looking across Loch Linnhe to Lismore

Looking back at my route – Beinn Mheadhoin is left

The next 3 miles went very quickly as I chatted away barely noticing the recently created loch of Lochan Lub an Arbhair for a Hydro scheme. At Ardtornish I bid goodbye to the couple and their dogs and continued through the Estate and onto the public road. I headed down the old shore road alongside Loch Aline, passing the Silica Mine close to the harbour. The mine has a rich, almost pure white sandstone layer, which is mined and conveyed onto a moored bulk tanker, one of which was moored at the jetty. I finished the walk at 5:30 and realised I had not eaten since breakfast. I needed carbs!

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23835

Distance today = 18 miles
Total distance = 3,157 miles

181. Ardgour to Kingairloch

A small meteorological High had formed off North West Scotland which presented me with at least two days of good weather; so off I went to Ardgour.

Public transport is quite infrequent in this part of Ardgour, so I took along my bike, just in case. I drove to and parked at a small isolated car park at Loch Uisge. As part of a recent hydro scheme the original Loch was dammed to allow a larger Loch to form.

My plan was to cycle the two miles up the B8043 to where it meets the A884. There I would dump the bike out of sight and catch the #507 bus to Strontian, then the #506 to Ardgour. I waited some 20 minutes after the bus was due, until it slowly dawned on me that it was not coming. I quickly revised my plan. I retrieved my bike and headed towards the Carnoch Bridge, which the #506 bus would pass in 40 minutes time. But I needed to cover the 8 miles in that time in order to catch the bus to Ardgour. Unfortunately, there was a long long pull up the road to the bealach, which meant getting off and pushing for most of the way. By the time I was descending at speed down to Loch Sunart, I knew it was touch and go if I could make the bus. I could see the Carnoch Bridge in the distance and I kept glancing across the loch, looking for signs of the bus. With about 400m to go, the bus appeared, I had missed it by 2 minutes! Bugger! I then locked the bike up at the bridge and tried thumbing a lift. No joy, there was there was very little traffic. So I unlocked the bike and cycled the remaining 12 miles to the Ardgour Inn. I had cycled 22 miles that morning and I still had a 19 miles walk ahead of me! It also meant that I would have to push the bike back along my walking route; either that, or be faced with a 40 miles round trip to retrieve the bike.

It was all road back to my car at Loch Uisge above Kingairloch. For the first 6 miles it was walking back down the A861 alongside Loch Linnhe. I decided to divert down the old ferry road which passes through the nearby village of Clovullin. I popped into the local to buy some food and enquired why the bus from Lochaline had not run that morning. She said that it was half-term for two days – so no bus. Schoolboy error on my part I think!

The walk down the A861 was quite quiet, punctuated every 30 minutes by a small flurry of traffic as the Corran Ferry disgorged its occupants. At Inversanda I noticed a large bird fly gracefully overhead. At a distance I had always thought this type of bird would be a Buzzard. However, this bird was definitely a Golden Eagle and I was very happy as this was my first confirmed sighting of one. Soon after, I turned off the A861 down the even quieter B8043 which hugs the shoreline of Loch Linnhe for most of the way. I catch a final glimpse of the mountain Garbh Bheinn, a superb hill, west up Glen Tarbert.

Looking across Loch Linnhe to the ferry slipway at the Nether Lochaber side

The Memorial Hall in the village of Clovullin

Looking up Glen Tarbert towards Garbh Bheinn

The walk along the B8043 was very easy and I managed to fix my rucksack to the bike and push it along. I had beautiful views across and down Loch Linnhe. All of the high hills were cloud-free and I had a gentle breeze to keep me cool. I turned into the small loch inlet of Loch a’Choire and had an excellent view up Glenmadale to the twin Corbett peaks of Creach Bheinn and Fuar Bheinn, which I climbed back in 2008.

I arrived back at the car and started cooking my meal. Although I had brought my tent, I knew it would be more comfortable sleeping in the back of my estate car. The occupants of the car parked next to mine in the car park returned from the hill. We spoke at length and I learned they were staying in one of the Estate Cottages. As it was the stalking season I decided to call an Estate number to enquire about stalking activity the following day. I was advised to call back the following day.

Looking back across Loch Linnhe to Beinn a’Bheithir (left) and Fraochaidh (right)

Looking up Glen Galmadale towards Creach Bheinn

My room for the night below Sgurr Shalachain at Loch Uisge

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23833

Distance today = 19 miles
Total distance = 3,139 miles

27.a Bigbury-on-Sea to Bantham

One of the problems in doing all of the rivers /estuaries I bypassed on my previous coastal walks, is getting back from the end of the walk to the start of the walk. As some of these areas are not best served by public transport, it makes sense to make use of the ferry I took in the first place! However, some of these ferries are seasonal and will cease towards the end of September.

I opted to a walk around the Avon estuary which separates the two communities of Bigbury-on-Sea and Bantham. I had originally intended to park in Bigbury and get the ferry across to Bantham. However, the ferry did not start until 10:00 and I thought on the way down from Shropshire that morning “why not park at the free car park at Aveton Gifford (the first bridging point across the Avon) and walk to Bigbury-on-Sea?”, then catch the ferry to Bantham and walk bck to Aventon Gifford.

So arriving at Aveton at 8:30 I set off on the Tidal road that runs alongside the estuary for almost a mile. The tide still had almost 90 mins to reach High Tide, so I was comfortably able to walk along the muddy road. There is a well-marked path, the Avon Estuary Walk, which I would be following. After leaving the Tidal road, the path climbs slowly up and across fields giving a lovely view of the river snaking the short distance towards the Sea. It is a beautiful sunny morning as I walk along leafy roads and begin a steeper climb onto Bigbury Golf Course. I can see Bantham clearly now and I descend to Cockleridge Ham, were the ferry will come in.

Looking down the River Avon on the tidal road

I arrive at 10:00 and join an elderly couple who are waving to attract the attention of the ferryman on the far side. We climb into the small wooden boat, with the ferryman’s Husky dog asleep on the bow! It only takes a 2 minutes to cross the river and I am soon on my way back towards Aveton Gifford along the opposite bank of the River. The return walk unfortunately gives few views down to the River, which is out of sight for most of the route. I arrive back at the A379 and must walk along a particularly nasty section of road to get back to the car.

Looking back towards Bantham (left) with Burgh Island & Bigbury-on-Sea (right)

As I had to get back to Shropshire for a football game that night, I opt not to do another walk that day. This walk had taken just 2.5hrs and it does seem a bit extravagant to drive 460 miles just for 9 miles! I’ll certainly fill my day more when I return for the next river/estuary walk!

Distance today = 9 miles
Total distance = 3,120 miles

114.b Liverpool to Frodsham

Today I would be completing my walk around the Mersey estuary. This would be the first of a series planned walks around rivers and estuaries that I had simply bypassed using ferries while walking the coast of GB. In order to make my walk more “complete” and to give my claim to have walked around the coast of Great Britain more authenticity I will be “filling in these gaps” over the Winter period.

I again drove to and parked at Frodsham station, as its free and convenient. I then caught the 6:51 train to Earlestown (near Newton-le Willows) and then caught the a train to LIverpool Lime Street. I realised when I was on the train that I had forgotten to bring my maps, which I printed out the night before. Grrrr!!! I always take a map with me and I always plan my route beforehand, noting any tricky sections. I never set off on a walk with blind optimism hoping to find a route; which can be frustrating and tiring especially when you have accumulated quite a few miles on a walk. I went over the route again in my head a number of times and was satisfied that I could remember it.

It was just after 7 in the morning as I strolled through the very quiet streets of the City centre. I reached Pier Head and turned south walking along the river. In fact, todays walk would be predominantly walking along the shore of the estuary.

I spent 4 years at Liverpool University in the 1970’s and really cannot remember walking around the dock areas to the south of the city. This was not surprising as the whole area was run-down and dilapidated. It was not until the late 1970’s that the area was made a conservation area and work began (from the 1980’s onwards) regenerating and renovating the whole shoreline down to Grassendale.

Now, there is an excellent path which links the Albert Dock, Kings Dock, Dukes Dock, Wapping Dock, Queens Dock, modern riverside housing and other wharfs and quays to the Otterspool Promenade some 5 miles away.

I made excellent progress along the path, with many cyclists making their way into the city to work. Gradually the buildings and docks gave way to more open spaces and I was soon walking along the Otterspool Promenade, with its commanding views up and down the River. At the end of Otterspool Prom, I had to turn inland to get around the large and grand houses of Grassendale and the impending approach of Garston Docks which are still operational. I walk along one of the main arterial roads and then along the old high street in Garston. The street appears very run-down even though it has an ample supply of various shops. I head back towards the river passing a new housing development, which sits alongside a derelict buildings and present industrial premises. This area, around Blackburne Street, is quite run-down. Evidence of fly tipping, dereliction and dog-extrement abounds. I pass two chaps scratching their heads over a dumped mattress which had been deposited outside their allotment gates.

The Sitting Bull statue at Otterspool Promenade

The end of the Otterspool Promenade – further progress blocked by ‘posh’ houses and Garston Docks

I am soon through this area and onto the shoreline path. I enter the Speke and Garston Nature Reserve which leads me along a path around the perimeter fencing of the John Lennon Liverpool Airport. The airport is very busy with Easy Jet and Ryanair flights coming and going. I walk alongside fields with crops and then drop down to the shoreline as the path becomes slightly overgrown,. I am heading towards the lighthouse at Hale, now a private residence. I pass around the lighthouse and continue around a large sweeping bend of the river. I can now see Frodsham on the opposite shore as well as the numerous chemical plants near Runcorn. The path heads inland into the charming and delightful village of Hale, with its thatched cottages. I head along a road and then turn back to the shore and pick up the Trans Pennine cycle route which runs alongside the river all the way to Widnes and the Runcorn Bridge.

I walk under the railway and road arches to road and path that leads onto the iconic bridge. I had driven over this bridge many many times, this would be the first time I had walked over it. I was amazed to read the bridge was only opened in 1961. It was not until the 1977 Queens Silver Jubilee that it got its second name. To the east I could see the Mersey Gateway bridge, similar to the new Queensferry Crossing in Scotland but on a smaller scale. This bridge is nearing its completion and will alleviate traffic on the Runcorn Bridge.

The statue of John Middleton “The Childe of Hale” reputedly 9ft 3inch tall in real life!

Looking back after just crossing Ditton Brook

I move off the bridge and must now negotiate myself around the complex road network that Runcorn is famous for. I remember my route well and am soon heading east along quiet suburban roads and bypassing the nearby chemical plants which offer no access onto Frodsham. However, as I approach the larger roundabouts of the ring roads I come across a very large section of new road development all linked to the new Mersey Gateway Project. My planned route is barred by this development. I come across a crude map of the pedestrian diversion, I commit the map to memory and am able to get back onto my planned route after about 20 minutes of walking.

I finally cross the swing bridge over the Weaver Navigation Canal and proceed along the A56 into Frodsham. I had been walking for almost 8 hours.

Looking up at Runcorn Bridge with the Railway bridge on the right

Looking east from the bridge with The Mersey left and the Manchester Ship Canal right

Looking SW over the Mersey towards Frodsham Hill

Massive roadworks requiring me to divert around

Crossing the Weaver Navigation swing bridge

Distance today = 26 miles
Total distance = 3111 miles

Across the Queensferry Crossing

Back in June of this year I read about a unique event which was organised by the Scottish Government to allow 50,000 people to walk over the New Queensferry Crossing above the Firth off Forth. The event was to take place on the 2 – 3rd September. The selection of the 50,000 people to make the walk was to be by a ballot and available to anyone. I entered the ballot as a group leader, the other person in my being my daughter Nicola. I had something like 14 days to wait until the ballot ended and the draw made. I did not hold out too much hope of being selected.

On the 6th July I was told that my entry was successful and that I had 48 hours to confirm my booking. I learned that 226,000 people had entered the ballot and that 5000+ people with postcodes outside of Scotland had been successful together with 400+ from abroad. My allocated date to make the walk was at 16:20 on 2nd September, with Edinburgh Park as my travel hub.

In August I received my official invitation as well as our security ID tags. I started to plan the journey with my daughter. We decided to make a day of it by driving up to Edinburgh and visiting the Zoo in the morning. In particular we wanted to see the Giant Panda’s. It had been some 43 years since I last visited Edinburgh Zoo.

We set off from Shropshire at 05:00 and arrived at the Zoo at 9:45, it was a beautiful late summer morning and the Zoo was not busy. The Zoo was brilliant, particularly with the conservation work being done. We managed to get a great view of the male Panda Yang Guang in his enclosure. Tian Tian the female Panda was not available as the news of her recent pregnancy had keepers especially careful in keeping her undisturbed.

We left the Zoo for Edinburgh Park and thought we may have a few hours to kill as we were very early before our allotted slot. We were pleasantly surprised therefore to see that a continuous and rolling procession of people were processed on arrival. After clearing the security check we just carried onto the bus stops where buses where coming and going on a continual basis. We had a 20 minute drive to the south side of the bridge. The Police and road transport employees where everywhere, together with the Event Ambassadors – volunteers who were very welcoming.

We got off the bus and joined the snaking trail of people already walking the bridge. We could see on the opposite carriageway a similar train of people walking and thought at first that we would have to walk back over the bridge. This was not the case as other walkers travelling from other Travel Hubs were walking the bridge North to South.

It was a surreal experience walking over the bridge, even though I have walked over other motorway bridges this was special. The Bridge up close is just as beautiful as it is from a distance. The sweeping hyperbola of the crossing wire rope from the three towers is perfectly smooth. I thought that it would be very windy on the bridge, however, the weather together with the 3.5 metre glass wind shielding meant there was just a gentle breeze blowing. Although you cannot see clearly through the windshield the organisers had clearly removed the slats at head height to allow views up and down the Firth of Forth.

Looking east across the carrigeways to the two other bridges

Nearing the end of the walk looking back

As we passed the towers, we could see the equipment and plant to enable the brilliant light show that had lit up the bridge in a public display a few days before. As we passed over the gentle curve of the bridge arch we seemed to quickly arrive at our finish point and jump on one of the waiting buses. By 16:00 we were back at Edinburgh Park.

Looking across to the new bridge from the old bridge with wire ropes creating their own spectacular Crepuscular Rays

This really was a proud day for Scotland and equally for the United Kingdom as a whole. This was a unique, spectacular and innovative way of celebrating an engineering achievement for its design and beauty. The organisation was truly amazing. The whole event, from the communication, the signage, the security and to the thousands of people on the ground, particularly the Event Ambassadors – A big Well Done!

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23801

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