It wasn't a bad walk, I chose to deviate over a hill rather than follow the A9 but the route is pretty flat and easy going, just a bit exposed as you walk across the long Dornoch Road Bridge. Set off from Tain centre from bus stops on the North West Road out (Tower St., Academy St. then Morangie Road) in a straight line getting up to the Aldi which is close to the main northbound A9 road junction. Don't take it on, go straight to the A9 and walk on the verges, not a path here, so best to cross as there are, at least, good views of oncoming traffic, The A9 is a busy and fast road, taking heavy traffic sometimes, up the coast to Thurso and Wick. Then its straight down the track and you are heading directly on to the traffic island at the beginning of the Dornoch Bridge. For a small town there are one or two striking buildings, particularly the Cathedral and Dornoch Castle (why has Dornoch got a cathedral but not referred to as a city?). This route wasn't too bad, trees and a hill after Tain but then over the Dornoch bridge you are open and exposed....

David