Easter 2008 – Kinlochbervie.

This year Easter is within a day of the earliest it can be, with Easter Saturday on March 22^nd.

The fishing port of Kinlochbervie is as far north on the west coast of mainland Scotland as it is possible to travel by road without heading inland to Durness on the north coast. On foot, northwards leads onto the Cape Wrath peninsular with its fabulous coastal scenery including Sandwood Bay (I think this is the most beautiful bay in Britain). The main single track road leading North West takes you to Durness and Smoo Cave, whilst slightly to the south at Laxford Bridge a road eastwards heads scenically to Lairg and then to Inverness (95 miles, ~3 hours).  To the south is Scourie. Fine mountains abound … but not for the Munro baggers – most are Corbetts though some really fine peaks don’’t even reach 2500’. The scenery here amongst the most ancient rocks on earth is quite special. (3,500,000,000 years is even slightly greater than the sum of all our ages!)

The accommodation this year is focussed on the use of the village Hall at Kinlochbervie as our evening venue. This has it’s own kitchen as well as a large room equiped with tables, chairs and pots etc. The kitchen is far from the grand scale of last year on Skye so this will probably mean doing most of our cooking in our accomodation and taking it along to serve / finish off (it has a domestic cooker and microwave). Many of the houses are in the centre of Kinlochbervie.

Foinaven, Arkle & Ben Stack from Kinlochbervie	Kinlochbervie Harbour

Kinlochbervie (Scottish Gaelic: Ceann Loch Biorbhaidh) is a harbour village whose population In 2001 was 480. The majority of local industry is based upon fishing. Although the fleet of ships actually based in Kinlochbervie is rather small, many ships from the East coast of Scotland land their catches in Kinlochbervie. The dominant feature of the town is the large fish handling depot. From here catches are loaded onto large refrigerated trucks for transport by road throughout Europe. The importance of this link to the outside world to the local economy means that Kinlochbervie has surprisingly good road links, given its remote location and rugged local geography. Inhabitants of Kinlochbervie are sometimes collectively referred to as "Greeks" by the residents of surrounding villages, for reasons now largely unknown. The village itself is sometimes referred to as "K.L.B.".

There is a very good local Web site with lots of interesting facts about the village and its history. http://www.kinlochbervie.org/index.htm

I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday 22^nd March to Saturday 29^th March 2008. Please note that this IS the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday). 

Getting there: Inverness is the most convenient airport. / railway station. It’s about a 7-hour drive from Glasgow airport.

Mountains and other Walks

Tourism and Relaxation

Balnakeil beach	Oldshoremore Bay

The pictures above give some ideas for less strenuous outings.

Cape Wrath gives a fine outing involving first a tiny foot ferry across the Kyle of Durness which takes approximately a quarter of an hour, then a bus which takes you to the Cape Wrath Lighthouse. The bus trip takes approximately half an hour each way, the entire excursion takes approximately 2 and a half hours. During the crossing amongst the beautiful scenery you are likely to see Common seals. Daill beach is beautiful secluded spot easily accessed from the ferry point and approaching the Cape is the highest cliff on the British mainland - Clo Mor - with a drop of 620 feet. Just to the east there is an almost sheer drop of 900 feet. There’s just one minor issue – the regular ferry and bus don’t start until May. I have the Feryman’s contact details so may be he can be persuaded into a private trip – possibly a good outing for those who have bikes (and can ride one!).

Whilst Duncansby Head is a significant drive, lying as it does just east of John O’ Groats, the cliff scenery must be worth the effort. The single track road from John o' Groats emerges at the lighthouse. Many visitors will call it a day once they have admired the superb view north from the car park, Duncansby Head's real delights lie to the south not to the north, and require a short walk over the highest part of the surrounding landscape, behind the lighthouse. Following a well trodden path brings you first to the sight of the Geo of Sclaites, a huge cleft bitten deeply into the cliffs. A little further across the clifftop fields, and you come to the day's highlight, the stunning view south to Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby. The first is a rocky arch, the second a group of large jagged sea stacks. This is a spot you will want to savour, with a view that varies as you move along the clifftop path and bring into play different alignments of the stacks and arch.

There are very many fine beaches around Durness – it may be not the season for deck chairs and paddling but they are worth visiting .At Balnakeil there is also “Craft Village”. A collection of “skilled craftspeople and artists living in a most beautiful place”. Sounds like something left over from the 70’s!

Loch a’ Mhuilinn National Nature Reserve contains the most northern remnant of native oak woodland in Britain. The stunting effects of westerly gales are clearly visible with some of the oaks reduced to a creeping form near the sea. Loch a' Mhuilinn also features grassland, peatbog, freshwater and seashore habitats, which help to attract a wide range of wildlife. Visit in spring for woodland flowers, in summer for dragonflies, and the scenery is spectacular all year. Highlights: Otters, Roe deer, Pine Martens, Common lizard, 9 species of butterfly, water birds and waders. Location: Four miles south of Scourie, off the A894 road, on the northeastern shore of Edrachillis Bay. There is parking near the entrance and road/track into the heart of the reserve.

Other possible outings which rely on tourism support starting early include the waterfall Eas a Chual Aluinn and the Kerrachar Gardens near Kylesku both of which may be visited by the Statesman boat trip if it is running. The Isle of Handa may also be visited though the sea-bird colony will not arrive until late May or June.

Accommodation

Laxford House

 

Sleeps 8. Perched on the edge of the River Laxford, this property enjoy truly wonderful views to the west across one of Scotland’s most stunning coastlines. The house itself has been recently decorated and is both spacious and well equipped. Accommodation is excellent with six bedrooms and two bathrooms the property sleeps eight comfortably. The large kitchen has a Rayburn and an electric cooker which makes catering easier and the two sitting rooms, each with an open fire, means there is plenty of room to sit and relax. The lovely dining room is great for dinner parties in the evenings and the sun lounge looks out over the river making it a an ideal place for drinks both before and after dinner. The garden area is securely fenced so it is safe for children and the river tumbles along the bottom; beyond that is a sea loch and the surrounding area with its rugged beauty provides sensational views. The owners do not wish the house to be occupied by more than 8 people.

 

Accommodation:  Ground Floor: Kitchen with Rayburn, dining room, 2 sitting rooms, 1 toilet and 1 bathroom (no shower) 1 double bedroom and 1 twin bedroom. First Floor: 1 double bedroom, 1 twin bedroom, 2 single bedrooms, linen cupboard, 2 bathrooms, one with overhead shower.

 

Included: Linen and towels provided. Heating and electricity included. Solid fuel for fire included. Sky TV, video, Rayburn cooker, electric cooker with oven and hob, microwave. Fridge freezer, chest freezer, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, central heating.

FISHERMENS MISSION (FLAT 1)

 

Sleeps 6. These bright and attractive apartments are situated above the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, on Fish Pier at Kinlochbervie harbour.

 

Accommodation: Lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathroom with shower over bath, toilet and basin, 3 bedrooms: 2 double, 1 twin. Oil central heating,

 

Included:

Linen and towels ARE NOT provided. All fuel and power included in rent.  Colour TV, washing machine, on street parking.

CLASHVIEW

 

Sleeps 9. Positioned on the edge of Kinlochbervie. Dogs welcome.

 

Accommodation: Bedtrooms:  Double, ensuite, double,  two twin rooms and a child’s single room. Real Fire in lounge  - TV (Freeview) and DVD.  Dining Seating - up to 12, Breakfast Bar with 2 high seats, Kitchen facilities include gas hob, electric oven, microwave, Low Fat Grill, Toaster, Electric Kettle, Coffee Cafetiere, Bread Maker, Dish Washer, Plates, glasses, cutlery for 12 persons, Salt, pepper, and selection of spices, washing and cleaning materials. In utility room Fridge-freezer, Washing machine, Tumble dryer. Picnic Table with Sea View

 

Included:

Linen and towels provided. Electricity by meter reading, first 200 units included. Electric heating throughout + stock of coal logs & peat for fire (more can be purchased locally).

TAIGH SONA

 

Sleeps 6. Detached bungalow in Kinlochbervie

 

Accommodation: Three bedrooms. Bedrooms 1+2 with double bed in each. Bedroom 3 with two single beds. Lounge/Dinining room. Kitchen with electric cooker, microwave, washing machine, fridge, freezer. Bathroom with bath/shower. Oil fired central heating. Small garden

 

Included:

Linen and towels provided.

The Cottage, Sheigra

Sleeps 6 in 2 Bedrooms Positioned at the top of the scattered coastal village of Sheigra, this carefully updated and extended detached stone-built croft cottage has lovely views out to the Atlantic. It provides an ideal relaxing base for a family holiday, being well-equipped, comfortable and cosy in all weathers. Sheigra is at the end of the road leading west from Kinlochbervie, about 3 miles distant.

 

Accommodation: Ground floor: Spacious sun-porch. Lounge with pine dining table and benches. Kitchen with table & chairs and larder. Shower room with toilet.  Upstairs: Two bedrooms, each with twin beds and an additional narrow single bed. Second toilet. Bedrooms upstairs have polished floors and rugs. Heating: Electric heaters and electric night storage heaters. Electricity included in rent. Double glazing and some triple glazing.

Electric cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, washing machine, tumble dryerm, breadmaker (incl. ingredients), immersion heater, colour TV, CD / tape / radio, telephone

 

Included:

Linen: Bed linen, towels and teatowels may be possible at a small charge. Duvets and duvet covers on beds. Cleaning services are not available — please leave the property cleaned and ready for the next let..

Eating Together

I have reserved the Village Hall in Kinlochbervie where we can all eat together. This includes use of its kitchen, though its facilities are fairly limited.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers based on analysis of the 2007 bill)

In addition to this there is the cost of transport i.e.:

          Hire cars and their fuel

          Fuel for private cars (~£160-£170 per car last year)

          Flights /trains etc to Scotland

Decisions and Deposits Please

I have paid deposits and will have to pay the remainder soon after Christmas so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can.

Please send deposits of £100 per person (children £50) as soon as you feel able so my bank account feels less exposed! (See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking).

                                                Phil