Sunday 12/06/05

At lunchtime, I kick myself out to explore the moorland just north of Stornoway. Walk down Macaulay Road, down the hill past the hospital and up the road to Guershader. The War Memorial looms up on the hillside, but cannot be approached through that route. Go downhill, north into Lacasdail / Laxdale. Notice that the lambs have grown big, and the sheep are being shorn. It's very quiet now. Take the cross-street into Newvalley, and walk up the moorland track as far as the ford. This is negotiable, if awkward. Finally call a halt to proceedings at Hogaraid (GR 394354). It's a very pretty location, amidst low hills. The river is not fordable. I could conceivably follow this stream uphill into the Barvas Hills, but it's mid afternoon now (3 pm), and I just don't have the time. Traverse the hills to the radio relay mast and come down past the quarry. Then on to Marybank and back into town via the Castle Grounds, by 4.20. A few folks are out walking dogs &c.