'Walking. After all this time? Always.'
I’ve decided to put Tumblr’s mobile app through its paces by attempting to write this blog in the car, whilst travelling to Norfolk for a small break! So far, the app seems to be proving its worth (it can stay another day). EDIT: It seems you cannot include photos when writing a post on the app so I’m not that impressed.
Last week, the walking group and I faced the sub-zero temperatures and travelled to a cold but beautiful Evanton. Whilst the temperatures didn’t get above freezing all day, the weather was just glorious. I really can’t get enough of these crisp winter days, with the conditions perfect for walking. I really will miss them when an inevitable damp Spring eventually arrives.
Our route this week took us through Evanton Community Wood on the outskirts of the village, to Black Rock Gorge, a rather spectacular geological box canyon that stretches for hundreds of metres, measuring 40m deep in some places. The gorge features heavily in local folklore, including a Gaelic tale involving a noblewoman, the Lady of Balconie being lured deep into the mysterious depths of the gorge by a strange man, probably the devil. More recently, the gorge featured in the dragon chase scene in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. Whilst we had organised this walk weeks in advance, we all felt it was even more appropriate with the passing of actor and absolute hero, Alan Rickman.
With the paths outwith the forest fairly icy, we took it slowly at first, taking the time to absorb the magical surroundings around us. With the sun streaming through the trees and a stillness in the air, the forest had an almost dream-like quality to it. As we moved deeper into the forest, the paths got better, crossing a few streams here and there. However, we were all thankful for the ice when the path became a large, boggy puddle. As it was completely frozen over, it was a lot easier to walk on crunchy mud rather than having to wade through it.
After taking a slight wrong turn, we headed back in the right direction down towards the gorge, seeing a sign for the bridges along the way. After descending more down a steep hill, we finally arrived at the gorge.
The gorge itself is surprisingly dramatic, a real geological feast for the eyes. Pictures simply don’t do it justice - it’s massive. The drop is quite dizzying (especially when there’s seven ladies standing on a rather aged-looking wooden bridge) and there were a few of us who felt quite rightly queasy looking down into the abyss. It was so deep in some spots that you couldn’t see the bottom and only the sound of rushing water gave any clue that there was any bottom at all.
We walked to the next bridge, where we finally discovered how the gorge had received its name, the rock face stained black. This next bridge was not as robust as the first and great care had to be taken around this area.
Retracing our steps, we returned, the path becoming flatter and more sturdy before we eventually arrived back into Evanton and stopped at The Storehouse in Cromarty on the way home for some much needed warmth, rest, soup and cake.
An easy walk with only a few steep bits here and there, the trail was 6.5km all in and took about 2 and a half hours (although that was at a fairly leisurely pace). Whether you prefer to absorb the spooky atmosphere or revel in the magic of Black Rock Gorge, there’s no doubt it’s a place of sheer wonder.