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the Degree Confluence Project
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United Kingdom : Scotland

2.7 km (1.7 miles) NW of Backies, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Approx. altitude: 123 m (403 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 58°S 176°E

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: GPS, showing coordinates and altitude #3: View looking north #4: View looking south #5: View looking east #6: View looking west #7: Group photo at the confluence point

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  58°N 4°W (visit #12)  

#1: View looking south from the car park, towards the confluence point in the valley and Ben Bhraggie beyond

(visited by John Gordon, Paul Barron, Ivor McIvor, Michael Mielewczyk and Michael Sutherland)

31-Dec-2009 -- We set off on this visit from our base at Portmahomack, Easter Ross, at around 10:30 am. The weather was cold, with temperatures around 0°C, but dry. Although there had been some snowfall overnight, with the exception of the minor roads in Easter Ross the roads were reasonably clear. A good drive north on the A9, we turned left on to the minor single-track road just past Golspie. We determined that this route was preferable to taking the previous left turn in the village on to what appeared to be a steeper road, with a greater risk of getting stuck in the snow. As it turned out, the minor roads in this area had been ploughed, and the road surfaces were generally clear of snow and ice.

About 4 km along the single track road, we parked in a wide layby, leaving sufficient space for two-way traffic to pass. The road was not busy, and we saw only one other vehicle there during our brief visit. From this spot, we had a good view south towards the location of the confluence point and the monument to the first Duke of Sutherland on the slopes of Ben Bhraggie beyond. Just after 11:30 am we set off in search of the confluence point, walked back along the road for 400 m, then turned right off the road down a slope just before a small stream. The snow that had accumulated over the preceding weeks made our progress somewhat more difficult than we had hoped. Jumped the small stream then followed the fence line down into Dunrobin Glen. Turning left at the corner of the fence, we found the confluence point about 200 m beyond, close to the edge of the Golspie Burn.

It was midday, and with a few flakes of snow in the air the weather had begun to deteriorate. After taking the necessary photographs at the confluence point, we headed back to the car. Before returning to Portmahomack, we stopped by the Inver Inn for some celebratory pints.


 All pictures
#1: View looking south from the car park, towards the confluence point in the valley and Ben Bhraggie beyond
#2: GPS, showing coordinates and altitude
#3: View looking north
#4: View looking south
#5: View looking east
#6: View looking west
#7: Group photo at the confluence point
ALL: All pictures on one page