Misplaced Pages

#856143

23-706: The route of the North Highland Way varies in length due to the various options when it comes to walking this particular route. The terrain of the North Highland Way varies hugely, crossing beaches, forests, road and rough paths as well as some remote areas. The Herald reported in June 2020 that "Determined walkers can tackle a route from Duncansby Head to Cape Wrath, but it involves trekking across grassy paths, sheep trails, shoreland and road, and using GPS directions". A more structured trail with defined paths and its own signposts, featuring links to local accommodation and services,

46-518: A business plan and market studies. The feasibility study and business plan have now been completed but are not in the public domain. A Friends of the North Highland Way group has been formed to raise money from people using the route, for investment in promotional activities. The Herald further reported that a spokesperson from the Highland Council said Brough Bay Ltd approached the council in late 2013, "as they were unable to continue undertaking

69-442: A group to lead the project at this time". Highlands and Islands Enterprise was reported as stating that "We have held informal discussions regarding the North Highland Way but have not received any formal application for assistance". By 2020, plans for the route appeared to have stalled. Irving said the requirements from regulatory bodies for costly feasibility studies and a business plan have hampered efforts. The North Highland Way

92-527: A lack of support. The idea was revived in 2010 with a proposal for a new 115-mile (185 km) route from John o' Groats to Cape Wrath via Dunnet Head , Holborn Head , Strathy Point and Skerray . The area of the proposed route is one of the few areas of the Highlands to lack a branded distance walking path. An approach was made to the Highland Council and other public bodies seeking their support, and

115-464: A local group, the Caithness Waybaggers, which formed to pursue the project. The proposed 60-mile (97 km) route would have started at Dunbeath harbour and run via Altnabreac railway station, Westerdale , Halkirk and Thurso to John o' Groats . However, the project met with concerns from farmers and land owners on the route, problems with accommodation and with paths, and suffered from

138-538: A nuclear weapon test on the Stacks of Duncansby in 1953, but that the prevailing wet weather was too much for contemporary electronics and the idea was shelved. This article about a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Highland location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This British lighthouse -related article

161-441: A spokesperson for the council told the newspaper that while it was willing to support the project, it had received no formal grant application and that it could not retrospectively fund the promotional materials Irving had already paid for. In October 2014, Irving told The Herald that a route had been identified on the website, Walking World, but that work was required on conducting a feasibility study, consultation with landowners,

184-657: A survey of public opinion was conducted. Tina Irving, secretary of the Dunnet Head Educational Trust and described by The Herald as "one of the driving forces behind the campaign", was quoted as saying "This is probably not the best time to be looking for public money, so I know we are not going to get the built paths like the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way. But joining up the core path network that Highland Council had to develop for access under

207-407: A voluntary basis. The walk presents some obstacles that an established trail normally would not. In a few places the trail requires crossing of barbed wire fences, river fording, boulder scrambling, and strenuous walking through summer vegetation. These can be dangerous or difficult activities if not done with care by a fit, experienced walker. The John o' Groats Trail is 147 miles (235 km) long. It

230-464: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . John o%27 Groats Trail The John o' Groats Trail is a Scottish long-distance walking route from Inverness to John o' Groats , traversing back lanes, footpaths, shorelines and cliff tops of the Scottish Highlands. The trail gives access to accommodation, meals and shops at the end of each stage of the walk. The trail is in use but

253-703: Is divided into 14 stages that are each walkable in a day. All stages end in a town or village that provides accommodation. The trail begins in Inverness at Inverness Castle and follows the Inverness waterfront most of the way to the Kessock Bridge. Crossing the bridge, it then crosses the Black Isle on Forestry Commission lands and small back roads. It then continues across the Cromarty Bridge and follows back roads to Evanton and Alness. Before reaching Tain, it diverts into

SECTION 10

#1732884977857

276-659: Is intended to connect two other long-distance routes, the John o' Groats Trail and the Cape Wrath Trail , which are marked. The North Highland Way, except for the core path routes, is not marked. Duncansby Head Duncansby Head ( Scottish Gaelic : Ceann Dhunngain or Dùn Gasbaith ) is the most northeasterly part of both the Scottish and British mainlands, slightly northeast of John o' Groats . It lies approximately 20 km (12 mi) east-southeast of Dunnet Head ,

299-461: Is still a work in progress. Work began in March 2015. All of the route is walkable, and many sections of the coastal route are walked frequently by local walkers as well as long-distance walkers. However, work is ongoing to bring the trail up to the usual standards for walking trails. Markers and basic infrastructure such as stiles and bridges are still needed in some places. Most work is being carried out on

322-639: The Morangie Forest for several miles. After Tain, the trail mostly follows the coast, which begins as low sandy beaches in Sutherland and develops into cliffs in Caithness. After Tain, the next town is Dornoch, where the trail goes along the edge of Royal Dornoch Golf Course, then goes past Embo and along the shores of Loch Fleet . Then it goes through Golspie and past Dunrobin Castle on the way to Brora. It reaches

345-504: The famous Whaligoe Steps descend to an old fishing harbour. After that, the trail goes past one of the highest sea arches on the British coast on the way to Wick. After Wick it passes the lighthouse at Noss Head, goes past Castle Sinclair Girnigoe , and rounds Sinclairs Bay . It then goes through the village of Keiss and then the final stage takes the walker past Duncansby Head and finally on to John o' Groats. The following cities/towns are

368-642: The farthest point by road from Land's End . The Duncansby Head Site of Special Scientific Interest includes the 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) stretch of coast south to Skirza Head. It includes the Duncansby Stacks , prominent sea stacks just off the coast. In 2016, it was reported in The Sunday Post newspaper that scientists from the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldemarston had proposed

391-497: The halfway point at Helmsdale. After Helmsdale, the scenery along the cliffs, at several ruins of old fishing stations, at small harbours, and at several sea stacks and arches is spectacular, culminating in the distinctive Stacks of Duncansby. After Helmsdale the trail crosses the Ord of Caithness and goes past Badbea Clearance Village on the way to Berriedale. The next town is Dunbeath and then Lybster. After that, it reaches Whaligoe where

414-466: The land reform legislation would be feasible". The project also received support from John Thurso , then the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. However, Highlands and Islands Enterprise , who the Dunnet Head Educational Trust had had discussions with, stated in 2010 that the project did not fit its remit for funding. In October 2013, Irving told The Press and Journal that she thought Highland Council

437-473: The level of work that would be required if this was purely on a voluntary basis (...And that although) unable to assist in terms of providing direct funding to an individual company, the council did recognise that the idea had great potential for the area so agreed to explore other options". According to the council, attempts to bring local community representatives together had been unsuccessful and "there had been indications that most were not willing to be part of

460-719: The northernmost point of both the Scottish and British mainlands. Duncansby Head is in Caithness , Highland , in north-eastern Scotland . The headland juts into the North Sea , with the Pentland Firth to its north and west and the Moray Firth to its south. The point is marked by Duncansby Head Lighthouse , built by David Alan Stevenson in 1924. A minor public road leads from John o' Groats to Duncansby Head, which makes Duncansby Head

483-468: The town of John o' Groats and the Castle of Mey . The early stages of the North Highland Way also provide the opportunity to visit Dunnet Head , the most northerly point of the British mainland. Further stages of the route follow Scotland's North Coast, passing through the towns of Strathy, Bettyhill and Tongue. The idea of a North Highland Way has its roots in a proposal for a Caithness Way, made in 1992 by

SECTION 20

#1732884977857

506-509: Was first suggested by local group the Caithness Waybaggers in 1992, but has not been successful in securing funding. The start of the North Highland Way is located in Duncansby Head , the most north-easterly part of Scotland's mainland, looking out to the Orkney Isles . From Duncansby Head, the route continues west, along Scotland's North coast. This first section of the route passes through

529-427: Was using "delaying tactics" to avoid providing £14,500 to further develop and market the route, because it did not want to spend money in Caithness. It was reported that Irving had 32 businesses signed up to support the project, and had produced marketing materials to the cost of £4,500. Irving claimed that she had received three different answers about how to go about requesting funds from the council in three months, but

#856143