The Road of Destitution

"During the 1840s there was great poverty in the Highlands. The failure of the potato crop in 1846 meant starvation for the people. The Central Board for the Destitute Highlands was set up and paid for various improvement projects. The 'destitution roads', such as this lonely road across the moor, were built by labourers in return for food."*

A fine drive north from Edinburgh, blue skies all the way. I parked at Ardessie near Dundonnell and climbed the corbett of Sail Mhor. A wonderful viewpoint overlooking Little Loch Broom and the Summer Isles to the west, and over the jaggy peaks of Fisherfield to the east. A flock of wild goats guarded the hillside; I could smell them before I saw them.

*from Am Baile