Sandwood events programme

Join one of our walks, volunteer path maintenance or beach cleaning days at Sandwood. Walks are free, but donations towards our work in wild places are warmly welcomed.

9 May: Sandwood Bay beach clean day

Help Sandwood’s marine life, wildlife and bird species by cleaning, sorting and sifting any waste found on the shores. Give something back to our coastlines after all the winter storms.  Suitable for over 18s only. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for being outdoors and bring along lunch for a community picnic.  

When: Thursday 9 May, 9am – 5pm 
Where: Meet at Blairmore car park (Grid ref: NC194600) 
Accessibility: We will follow the main track to Sandwood Bay heading across sand, so a good level of fitness is required. We will be walking at a fast pace to enable us time at the beach for gathering up waste.
Booking essential: Email Lynn to book a place.

1 June: Botanical walk in the machair of the North Atlantic

Join us for a botanical wander with botanists Ian Evans and Gwen Richards. Find out more about the micro world of this SSSI and SAC designated, species-rich machair habitat and pick up some field recording tips along the way. Photographers welcome to practice micro photography with us.

When: Saturday 1 June 2024, 11am - 3pm
Where: Meet at Droman Pier (Grid ref: NC186592) 
Accessibility: We will be moving off-piste among the bogs, dunes, habitats, and rocky outcrops, so a good level of fitness is required. If you have any accessibility queries, please contact us to discuss further.
Booking essential: Email Lynn to book a place. 

31 July: Sandwood wellbeing walk  

A chance to slow down at Sandwood, reflect, create and share stories of what connects us to water and place. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for being outdoors and bring along lunch for a picnic. Suitable for over 18s only.

When: Wednesday 31 July, 10am– 4pm 
Where: Meet at Blairmore car park (Grid ref: NC194600) 
Accessibility: This event is being held on rough and steep ground (map location will be provided to those attending). If you would like to discuss this or any other access requirements further, please get in touch.  
Booking essential: Ten places available, email Lynn to secure a place.

8 August: Discover Sandwood Bay walk 

Enjoy exploring Sandwood Bay. Join us to celebrate this very special place and spend some time on the beach itself. Participants must have good fitness for and bring appropriate outdoor clothing, footwear, and lunch. The distance is 15km/9miles. This walk is subject to good weather conditions. Suitable for over 18s only.  

When: Thursday 8 August, 10am – 5pm 
Where: Blairmore car park (Grid ref: NC194600) 
Accessibility: We will use the main track and trail to Sandwood before moving off-piste amongst the sand, so a good level of fitness is required. If you have any accessibility queries, please contact us to discuss further.
Booking essential: Email Lynn to book a place. 

10 August: Volunteer path maintenance day   

Join us for a 5km – 6km walk and help clear our cross drains to repair and improve drainage on our Sandwood visitor path.  Bring pack lunch and drinks. Wear appropriate clothing for a practical day including boots. Gloves and tools provided – but trowels and your own gardening gloves are welcome. Suitable for over 18s only.

When: Saturday 10 August, 10am - 4pm 
Where: Blairmore car park (Grid ref: NC194600) 
Accessibility: This event is being held on rough and steep ground (map location will be provided to those attending). If you would like to discuss this or any other access requirements further, please get in touch.  
Booking essential: Eight places available, email Lynn to secure a place.

21 September - Great British Beach Clean at Sheigra

The Great British Beach Clean is a week-long citizen science event. Join us near Sandwood Bay, at Sheigra where vulnerable machair habitat relies on our help. We will head out in all elements to clean, sort, and sift and give something back to our coastlines after a busy summer. Families with children are welcome. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for being outdoors and bring along lunch for a community picnic.

When: Saturday 21 September 11am – 2pm 
Where: Sheigra car park (Grid ref: NC 185603) 
Accessibility: This event is being held on rough and steep ground (map location will be provided to those attending). If you would like to discuss this or any other access requirements further, please get in touch.  
Booking essential: Email Lynn to book a place.

• All walks, volunteer path maintenance and beach cleans, unless indicated otherwise, are led by John Muir Trust staff. All events are subject to weather and Lynn will email you final details if the event is going ahead. You are responsible for your own safety and that of your children. Dress appropriately for changeable Highland weather and bring good sturdy shoes/boots and packed lunch/snack. Donations are welcome.