A new bridge over the Loth Burn in Sutherland was unveiled recently. I went along to hear from those behind the long-distance walking route between Inverness and Caithness.
The fragrant yellow gorse frames many views in the Highlands at this time of year, and possibly no more so than around the Helmsdale area in east Sutherland.
Seven years ago, I joined Jay Wilson and a number of volunteers who had spent at least the previous two years bashing back bracken and adding simple stiles and plank bridges to create a more passable route along the coast.
The John O’Groats Trail was borne out of this determination – led by Jay – to create something new, and to share it with more people.
On our walk in 2018 we went north from Helmsdale, into Caithness to visit the broch at Ousdale and pass through the Clearance village of Badbea, situated on the precipitous edge of the cliffs, to the reach the lovely cafe at bonnie Berriedale.
It was a wonderful day out and really showed what the east coast has to offer in terms of scenery as well as historical attractions.
In April this year, the biggest investment to date in the JOGT was unveiled – a magnificent new footbridge across the Loth Burn between Brora and Helmsdale. The gorse was out once again, a stunning backdrop to this pristine crossing.
The burn was no more than a calm trickle on the day, but in spate it crashes through here below the far north rail line, making it a serious barrier to walkers tackling the route. A story was told of wading waist-deep through the powerful river to the safety of the far bank – not something every walker wants to be attempting.
After a couple of years of fundraising and hard work behind the scenes from trail managers Ken McElroy and Laura Gray, a total of around £90,000 has been spent on putting this new bridge in place.
It shows just how far the trail has come, from a small group of people with a shared vision willing to work together for the greater good, to this professional charity pulling various funding sources together to make the route much more accessible.
The day was uplifting and inspiring, as many of those who have been involved over the years gathered at the bridge for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, alongside local MP Jamie Stone, Helen and Paul Webster from Walk Highlands and many others including trustees and supporters of the Friends of the John O’Groats Trail group.
It felt like a lot had changed since that walk to Berriedale, and it had. This was one big step forward for the John O’Groats Trail, and a reminder of some of that hidden scenery on the east coast of Sutherland and, further north, into Caithness.
The fact that the view to the Loth hills from the new bridge is perfectly framed by the railway bridge just a few yards beyond is an added bonus.
I’d recommend a walk on the trail, and the further north you go, the better it seems to get!
- ‘I could never have imagined it’ – Loth Burn footbridge opens up John O’Groats Trail to more walkers
- New North Coast Trail section through Caithness ‘ready to walk’