WHEN heading into the great outdoors for a day in spectacular scenery you would not expect to be met by a waxwork model of Mohamed Al Fayed in Highland dress. This, however, is the juxtaposition you get on a visit to the Falls of Shin.
The Harrods boss owns a big pile in the area and has filled the visitor centre with must-have gifts from his Knightsbridge store. Don't be put off, though, as the nearby river is a great place to watch salmon leaping as they make their way upstream t
o spawn in summer and autumn. And a network of paths makes for a lovely stroll.
The waterfalls are worth visiting all year round, especially after rain, and attract large numbers of people – many of whom I suspect are there mainly because of the nearby visitor centre.
After watching the powerful surge of water pouring over the falls, a pleasant, waymarked walk takes you on a loop through mixed woodland and back towards the visitor centre. And if the lure of a Harrods teddy bear or bottle of champagne is too much, you can cut the walk short here. Alternatively, carry on for the uphill section.
This second part starts off through rather boring, part-cleared forestry, but after you have gone uphill for about a third of a mile it becomes more interesting. The gentle descent, through mixed woodland, includes a view through the trees across Achany Glen to a large country house. It's not Al Fayed's place, though – this was once a country retreat for the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who also owned the sumptuous Skibo Castle, near Dornoch.
This is a perfect walk to get a breath of fresh air at the end of a long journey. It is suitable for all members of the family, with only a little uphill walking. Take note that care should be taken near the falls, despite the area being fenced off. It's not often I make this recommendation, but you don't need boots since the paths are of high quality.
DISTANCE 2 miles.
HEIGHT CLIMBED 260ft.
TIME 1 hour.
MAP OS Landranger 21.
PARKING Take the A836 road south from Lairg (towards Rosehall) and after about three-quarters of a mile, go left on to the B864. The Falls of Shin visitor centre is less than four miles down the road, on the right.
From the south, go left from the A836 on to the A837 just less than a mile north of Invershin. After about three-quarters of a mile, go right on to the B864. The visitor centre is a little over a mile down the road, on the left.
IN SUMMARY Cross the road from the car park and take some steps down to the falls. Don't take a path on the left side of some railings carrying a blue waymarker – the path to the falls is to the right of this. There are two viewing platforms; one looking directly over the falls and another, to the right, looking upstream at them.
Return to the road but don't cross it. Instead, follow the path that starts at the blue waymarker. The path drops down close to the River Shin and then reaches the road, which you cross, continuing on the other side into more woodland.
Follow the path round to the left and back towards the visitor centre. On reaching a playground, go right, then right again at a green and red waymarker. Ignore two paths going off to the left and go straight on, by a green waymarker.
The path goes up through partially cleared forestry, then loops round to the left to return downhill through mixed woodland. At a junction of paths near the bottom, go right. A few yards after a picnic table, go right again to return to the visitor centre.
REFRESHMENTS With the Harrods boss welcoming you in all his Highland glory, there can be nowhere better than the visitor centre (01549 402231, www.fallsof shin.co.uk). The food is good and you can eat outside.
WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA I dare you not to buy a piece of Harrods memorabilia from the visitor centre. There is also a great adventure playground here and a mini golf course for children.
Alternatively, head to the beach at Dornoch or visit the town's cathedral.
