Dingwall Field Club take step back in time on walk skirting Loch Kinellan on Strathpeffer jaunt
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DINGWALL Field Club’s November morning walk included Easter Oak Wood at Ferintosh, with the twittering of small birds enjoying what these ancient trees had to offer being heard as members enjoyed examining the various fungi on show.
There were puff balls in various stages of development and many colourful agarics.
The Saturday outing near Strathpeffer started at Black Muir car park and on through conifers to Jamestown, into Coul House grounds and up the hill towards Loch Kinellan where, in the 1490s, the battles of Blar na Pairc and Druim a’ Chait were fought by MacKenzies and MacDonalds. One-hundred years later, still at it, they fought nearer the loch.
The sun shone brightly, revealing great views over the loch to Knockfarrel and the Cat’s Back. On the loch could be see the crannog, now covered in trees but formerly containing a home of Earls of Ross and MacKenzies of Seaforth.
Also at home on the loch were many ducks like wigeon, goldeneye and tufted and the resident pair of mute swans. No flowers just now but the loch is fringed with stately bulrushes.
Members crossed back to their cars at Elsick House where, across the road, was history again – the Well of the Heads is there, where the battle dead were washed. The field club enjoys history and archaeology as well as nature on its outings. It is planning a trip to Ormand Hill, Avoch.
To join in, see its website or call 01349 864661.
