Along the cliffs to Sandwood Bay
Teams hike to one of the remotest beaches in Britain as wild winds keep us out of the the mountains.
With strong winds forecast for the next few days we changed our hiking objective away from the mountains and towards Sandwood Bay, one of the remotest beaches in Britain. Most who embark on the 8km journey to the beach do so along a footpath maintained by the John Muir Trust. We opted instead for the bolder option, heading from the small crofting township of Sheigra, out along the cliffs.
The route is far less travelled and considerably more challenging. It starts with the old peat road that crofters have used for years to bring cut peats off the hillside and back to the crofts to keep their fireplaces burning through the winter. The old peat road runs for a couple of kilometres before it fades into the moorland. The teams then went ‘off piste’ breaking a trail over the moor to meet the coast. They then followed the coast with its climbs to clifftops and descents to rocky coves for another 6km. We passed the sea stack of Am Buachaille that guards the southern end of the beach and then the miles of golden sand appeared below us. It is a truly awe inspiring place in any weather.
The forecast was true to form with gusty winds and big waves rolling in off the Atlantic. At this latitude there is no protection from the Outer Hebrides and the full fetch of the north Atlantic can create some wild seas. Squalls came and went as the teams lunched at the beach.
We made good use of the trade route along the footpath for our return journey, leaving the beach and cliffs behind but battling into the wind along the path. 16km covered in some wild weather. It may not be a mountain but it was no less of a challenge.
Today (Tuesday) we were up again at 7am for the traditional run or swim before breakfast. A hardy team of 17 plus Mr Cox braved the chilly autumnal waters swimming out to the raft in Loch A Chadh-Fi whilst the others went for a run.
Today’s plan is for the instructors to impart all the necessary skills for survival island. As I write the teams are out on the Ardbeg peninsula, south of the Adventure School, looking at the fire, food and shelter elements as part of a mini journey so that the skills are put into the context of a real and remote environment. Windy again today but largely dry with sunny spells. Challenging but real conditions. A proper test of team work and the three principles of self-reliance, positive thinking and leaving people and places better than you find them. Stretch… don’t cruise!
