November - Hopeman

Ben Wyvis, Cromarty Firth and Nigg Point from Hopeman Harbour

With the longer nights upon us, I've been doing most of my weekday walking by torchlight. 

By Hopeman Harbour

But we've been lucky enough to have had some wonderful weather at the weekends this month - so here are a few of the photo's I've taken, whilst out and about, around Hopeman.

Hopeman Harbour

Across the Moray Firth from Hopeman - Morven

There's something about the colours up here.......

Rafe - Dunes, East Beach, Hopeman

North from East Beach, Hopeman

Oystercatchers caught napping- off East Beach, Hopeman

Dunes and Beach Huts - Hopeman

North from East Beach, Hopeman

Daisy Rock from East Beach, Hopeman

East Beach and Hopeman Harbour

Frost on Daisy Rock

Rafe does his washing
"The Unconformity" - East of Hopeman

North across the Moray Firth from Hopeman

East of Hopeman

North from the cliffs by Clashach Bay

Coconut flavoured - by Clashach Bay

Clashach Bay, from the Arch

The Arch - Clashach Bay

Rafe - Clashach Bay

A low sun highlights the dinosaur footprints above Clashach Bay

Sunday Snow in Torridon.

At a ridiculously early hour (for a Sunday) Jim, on peeping through the bedroom blinds, said

"There's snow on them there hills !"

Ben Wyvis, over Hopeman Harbour.

We've seen snow from Hopeman over towards Inverness and the west, Ben Wyvis et al, but not directly over the Moray Firth, to the north and north west.

So, after a walk on the beach - Road Trip......

Glen Docherty and Loch Maree

The car, seemed to be on automatic pilot and took the Torridon road....

Black Carls, Beinn Eighe,

Slioch from near the Beinn Eighe Visitors Centre.

Creag Dhubh, Beinn Eighe from the Pony Track

Beinn Eighe from the Pony Track

Rafe on the Pony Track with a snowy Meall a'Ghiuthais behind

Views south from the Mountain Cafe, Gairloch
Baosbheinn and Beinn Alligin

We had lunch (rather a late lunch) at the Mountain Cafe in Gairloch, with, possibly, the best cafe views anywhere - who could argue when you see the picture above.

Views south from the Mountain Cafe, Gairloch
Beinn Alligin - The Horns, Sgurr Mor and Tom na Gruagaich

Slioch and Loch Maree

The Horns of Alligin

Liathach above the village of Torridon

Beinn Alligin (Tom na Gruagaich, Sgurr Mor and The Horns) and Beinn Dearg

River Findhorn from Logie.

River Findhorn

Another lovely short walk along the River Findhorn, this time from Logie Steading, near Forres.

River Findhorn

The weather wasn't quite so good, grey clouds and the occasional shower. But this didn't seem to dampen the fabulous autumn colours - just past their best.

River Findhorn

River Findhorn

We finished off the afternoon with coffee and a cake at the Olive Tree Cafe at the Logie Steading. Yummy.

River Findhorn

Sluie Woods and Gorge, River Findhorn.



River Findhorn, Sluie Woods

A perfect Sunday afternoon walk with Rafe.



River Findhorn, Sluie Woods

We parked at the Sluie Walks car park (NJ013526) and followed the waymarked route down to the path along the top of the gorge.



River Findhorn, Sluie Woods

The trees were at their autumn best - glorious colours as far as the eye could see.

Gorge, Sluie Woods

There were signs warning of dangerous cliffs and to keep dogs and children under close control, but the path was wide and Rafe is used to steep drops. But, if we'd had small children with us, we might well have been keeping them very close !!



River Findhorn, Sluie Woods

We continued along the gorge beyond the waymarked route for a while, enjoying the views and the colourful trees.

Rafe was in his element - back in the woods.



River Findhorn, Sluie Woods

We'll be back..... when winter has stripped the trees bare for better views of the gorge..... and after rain or snow melt - the river will be spectacular.....