May 2018 – Walking the Coast of Great Britain

217. Skye: Armadale to Skye: Drumfearn via Point of Sleat

I would be covering a fair distance for this days walk, which would involve some track, road and off-road walking, plus some duplication and an out and back.

I set off from Armadale pushing my bike down the minor road through the small village of Ardvasar, which is very close to Armadale. The minor road had many ups and downs, as it wound its way for 3.5 miles down to the dispersed settlement of Aird. The road remained quite high on the coastline which gave good views down the Sound of Sleat towards Ardnamurchan. At the end of the public road I went through a farm gate and onto a very rough track which continued for a further 2.5 miles down to the Point of Sleat. The track also had a number of steep up and downs. I was passed by a couple of land rovers, probably from the 4 or 5 houses that are located at the end of the track. To get to the Point I had to dump the bike and proceed along a rocky footpath, which then split off from a path to Camas Daraich and proceeded to the Point. I looked down onto the Point of Sleat but did not continue onto the small lighthouse as I was conscious I had to retrace my steps, with the aid of the bike back to Armadale and then continue with the walk proper.

On the track to Point of Sleat with Eigg in the background

I cycled back, where I could, to Armadale and secured the bike to a post. I then proceeded on foot back up the A851 as far as the minor road to Achnacloich. I followed the road which rose steeply to about 190m, which afforded a brilliant views towards the Cuillin range. Shortly after the bealach the road began to descend past the lovely Loch Dhughaill down to the small settlement at Achnacloich. There is a nice small beach here and I could see a number of sea kayakers on the water. Half a mile up the road I passed through the much larger village of Tarskavaig and continued on past Loch Ghabhsgabhaig down to the beach at Torkavaig. The beach here was much larger with , what appeared to be dwarf Silver Birch trees facing onto the beach. A nice touch was a gazebo with food and drink set out with a honesty box. The road rose again quite steeply before descending steeply into another small settlement called Ord. Here the road headed inland back towards the A851, however, I headed off north towards a small hill called Sgiath-bheinn an Uird.

Looking back towards the Sound of Sleat from the minor road to Achnacloich

Looking towards the Cuillins at Achnacloich

Looking towards The Cuillins from Tarskavaig

Looking towards the Cuillins from the beach at Ord

At 294m, Sgiath-bheinn an Uird is not a very high hill, but what makes it unique is that it entirely composed of a pure white Quartzite. I don’t think I have ever walked on such a ‘Whiter’ hill, even chalk. In fact the blazing sun made the colour even stronger. NB: On my photos the rock only appears as a dirty grey, but it was white! The area is quite complicated geologically, especially as it sits very close to the Southern part of the Moine Thrust and within a geologic inlier. The brilliant white rocks that make up Sgiath-bheinn an Uird are the basal quartzites from the Lower Cambrian. The walking on the hill is very good with a lot of rock outcrops making for very easy walking. Just a few kilometres to the east is the slightly higher Marilyn of Sgorach Breac, a much older hill composed of reddish pink sandstone from the Torridonian Applecross formation. From the summit I could see my next target, the small settlement of Drumfearna. I set off keeping to the higher ground and avoiding any bracken. In Drumfearna I joined a public road and continued along it until I was back on the A851. Almost certainly the highlight of this walk was the small but distinctive hill of Sgiath-bheinn an Uird

On Sgiath-bheinn an Uird looking south to Rum

Looking east towards the Marilyn of Sgorach Breac from Sgiath-bheinn an Uird

Looking towards Drumfearn from Sgiath-bheinn an Uird with Ben Aslak in the distance

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24166

Distance today = 20 miles
Total distance = 3,867 miles

216. Skye: Leitir Fura to Skye: Kyleakin

In the morning I had to get dressed and fully prepared for the off inside of my small one-man tent. I knew heating any water for an early brew would be impossible, unless I wanted a fine concoction of Midge Soup for breakfast. As soon as I left the tent they descended. I was prepared though, with my midge net hat and hands covered in repellent cream ( I’m unsure if it repels them or they just ‘drown’ on the skin surface’! Within 10 minutes I had packed the tent away and I was moving. It was 05:00 and not a breath of wind.

I climbed up to the old drover’s “road” and continued along it. Within 30 metres I had lost the track through overgrown bracken. I lost and found the path another 5 times before I realised the 5 miles to Kylerhea was going to take a very long time!To make matters worse the sun was now up and it was already becoming unbearably hot.

I knew I had to get onto much higher ground, to break free of the bracken. I headed up through the steep de-afforested hillside, crossing through bracken, heather, fallen trees and bog. My progress was painfully slow and with the sun burning down it was tough going. Eventually I reached the higher ground of the Marilyn – Beinn na Seamraig (561m). I had no intention of making a tiny detour to claim the summit top, but chose to stay on its northern slopes, in the shade. The ground had become easier now, with rock and short grass making the early morning struggle a thing of the past. I emerged onto the summit area and continued to the top of Beinn Dubh a’ Bhealaich (546m).

Heading towards the higher ground of Beinn na Seamraig

Looking across to Loch Hourn with Beinn Sgritheall (left) and Knoydart(right)

Looking down to Drumfearna and Loch Eishort – tomorrows walk

Much better going on Beinn Dubh a’ Bhealaich

Looking across the bealach to Ben Aslak – Sgurr na Coinnich can be seen in the distance

I decided that I would ditch the idea of getting to Kylerhea and continue onto Ben Aslak (610m). But first I had to lose some height by dropping down to the bealach and cross a boggy area. On the summit of Ben Aslak I had wonderful views towards the Cuillins and Broadford, west to Loch Hourn, south to the Sound of Sleat. There was a gentle breeze blowing on the summit and I decided to make a brew and get some porridge going. I considered what to do next. I had read about and also had a good look at the western end of the Sleat peninsular and decided that the pathless and deafforested 4 mile section back to Kyleakin would be too much in this heat and with a full pack. I opted to drop down to the Bealach Udal and continue back down Glen Arroch along the road to the main A87 some 7 miles away.

The minor road down to the A87 was all downhill and very quiet, apart from the odd car coming and going to the Glenelg Ferry. Unfortunately a few miles down the road I came across a young Adder that appeared to have been run over by a car.

The less said the better, about the 4 miles along the very busy A87 back to Kyleakin. On arriving back at the car I vowed, not for the first time, never to use that heavy pack again!!

Looking back towards Beinn Dubh a’ Bhealaich

Looking towards Broadford and The Red Cuillin

The summit of Ben Aslak looking towards Sgurr na Coinnich

Looking back at Ben Aslak from the Bealach Udal

A young Adder – an unfortunate road-kill victim

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24159

Distance today = 15 miles
Total distance = 3,847 miles

215. Skye: Armadale to Skye: Leitir Fura

I’d finally reached Skye and begun my clockwise direction around the Island’s coastline. I estimated it will take me about 15 to 20 days (that’s about 4 to 6 trips) before I am back at Kyle of Lochalsh. Skye is composed of a number of radiating peninsular’s, which will hopefully make progress easier. My first goal was to complete the Sleat Peninsular. There are a number of bus services around the Island, centred on Portree and Broadford, which I would be making use of, plus I would be taking my bicycle along.

I set off from Shropshire in the early hours to begin the long drive north. I had planned to catch the 11:50 #51 from Kyleakin to Armadale and then walk back along the road as far as Kinloch and then go off-road. I knew I could not do this in a single day, so I packed my tent etc.. Preparing for a wild camp somewhere mid-way.

because of bus times I had decided to start my walk at Armadale. It was a scorching hot day and I began to have serious reservations about whether I could manage carrying my pack the distance, especially in that heat. At Armadale Pier I stocked up on more water, adding to the weight of the pack.

I set off back up the A851, which would be the majority of the days walk. The road was quiet, punctuated only by a sudden rush of traffic from the Mallaig ferry discharging its vehicles. After only a mile my pack was digging into my shoulders, even though I had additional padded shoulder straps. I rested awhile and sought some shade at the entrance to the Sabhal Mor Ostaig (Great Barn of Ostaig) higher education college. The college delivers all its education programmes in the Gaelic tongue. I am rewarded with beautiful views across the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart and its west coast. I passed the small hamlets of Kilbeg, Kilmore, Ferindonald, Sassaig, Teangue and Isleornsay. I made frequent stops to re-adjust my pack and straps to get the balance right and stop the digging in. The main road passed above the ruins of Knock Castle (Caisteal Chamuis), the stronghold of the Clans Macleod/ Macdonald – but abandoned for centuries now.

Looking across to Loch Hourn and the twin peaks of Beinn Sgritheall

Knock Castle with Beinn na Caillich on Knoydart in the distance

Skye’s second distillery – Torabhaig opened in 2017. The small pond on the left is the Cooling Pond for the condensers

Beinn Sgritheall with The Isle of Ornsay in the middle distance

At Loch na Dal the road began to move inland towards Broadford. I took a small private road towards Kinloch Lodge Hotel, but turned off on a forest track before I reached the hotel. I began looking for a suitable spot to pitch my tent. A small car park already had camper vans in so I continued on along a forest track. I got as far as the ancient and historic ruined township of Leitir Fura ( pronounced Lee-cheer foo-ra). The forest had been cleared from around the township and short grass allowed to grow. The last occupants of the village was back in the early 19th century and surprisingly it was not the Clearances that led to its demise, but the hard toil and struggle to survive on a rocky remote hillside. I pitched my tent alongside a ruined house and admired the breathtaking view across the Sound of Sleat to Beinn Sgritheall and Loch Hourn.

The sun was still high in the sky and it remained very hot, although a slight breeze made it comfortable. I cooked some food and had just finished eating it when the wind dropped. Almost immediately the midge rose and descended on me! I threw myself and all my stuff into the tent and spent the next hour busily killing all those that came in with me! Unfortunately I had only erected the tent once in my back garden and subsequently made a cock-up with two of the small upright poles. I scrambled outside and fixed the problem, before climbing back in and spending another hour killing more of the horde that came back in with me. It became very still and quiet outside, with the swarm of the midge on the outside tent canvas imitating the sound of gentle rain falling on the tent. I slept fitfully.

Looking across to Loch Hourn with Beinn Sgritheall left from Leitir Furar

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24157

Distance today = 14 miles
Total distance = 3,832 miles

214. Welwick Salt Marsh to Thorngumbald

I had become very complacent with all the fine weather we had been having recently, so much so, that I had decided to make an opportune one day visit to the East Riding of Yorkshire without checking the weather. I left Shropshire at 04:00 and it was raining. As I set off the forecast was not good – heavy rain for most of the day. I was sorely tempted to turn around and go back to bed. However, I do not mind getting wet, especially if I am only doing a day’s walk and can return to the car, where a change of clothes would wait. What I didn’t consider was the days walk would be predominantly on the grassy sea wall and this was a Friday with all of the traffic problems that an impending Bank Holiday brings.

I needed to bridge a small gap in the local public transport so I took my bike along. I drove to and parked in the small village of Patrington, from there I got booted up and cycled the small distance to the neighbouring village of Welwick and then down a cul-de-sac lane towards the Humber. On the cycle down I passed a sculpture of a group of metal figures depicting the 4 main conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot. Two of the plotters were John and Christopher Wright who hailed from nearby Plowlands Farm.

Sculpture of Gunpowder Plotters alongside the B1445

I chained up my bike to a post on Welwick Salt Marsh and set off down the sea wall. Within 10 minutes my boots and trousers were soaking wet. The lush grass on the sea wall was above my knees and in places up to my waist! It was also soaking wet. The rain had not abated and would be with me for the rest of the day. One of my first obstacles was to get over the Patrington Channel, one of the many drainage channels in this flat-lying, rich agricultural land. I had seen a short-cut on the map in the form of a building with a sluice gate spanning the channel. Normally these bridges/buildings do not allow people to cross and have measures to block any climbing around the barriers. Stupidly I decided to take a look which involved almost a mile of extra walking, which revealed as I expected, no way across at that point. I continued along the side of fields and emerged at a track which spanned the Channel and continued past Outstay Farm. I regained the grassy sea wall and continued west. I passed a marker indicating I was on the Greenwich Meridian, I continued along the sea bank into the Western Hemisphere.

I had little in the way of views, as the clag was down and I could not even see across the Humber to Lincolnshire. I could hear the dull thud of ships engines out in the estuary. One ship came into view, it was the Yasmine a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship arriving from Rotterdam. I was well and truly soaked to the skin on my lower half as I rounded Hawkins Point. My spirits were up though and I was keen to keep my phone, wallet and car keys dry – as I had stupidly left my rucksack dry sack at home! Doh! As I approached Stone Creek I was surrounded by a magnificent display of Hawthorn blossom. I crossed over the Ottringham Drain and intended to continue along the grassy sea wall with a public path towards the village of Paull. Unfortunately there was a footpath closure notice pinned to the gate for a large section further up the path. There were no alternate diversions and the notice advised using local roads.

I planned a route that would take me inland towards the village of Thorngumbald. I set off down the depressingly long straight roads in the pouring rain. I decided after about two miles to end my walk at Thorngumbald. The rain and my squelching boots did not help and I was getting to feel a bit pee’d off with my situation. I knew Thorngumbald sat on the A1033 and had regular buses between Hull and Withernsea, I did not have to wait long and caught the#77 bus service back to Patrington and my car. I felt sorry for the next person who sat on my vacated bus seat, as I left a large pool of rainwater on my seat.

The RO/RO cargo ship Yasmine arriving from Rotterdam

Crossing The Spragger – a drainage channel

Crossing the Ottringham Channel at Stone Creek

Distance today = 16 miles
Total distance = 3,818 miles

213. Withernsea to Welwick Salt Marsh

I thought I would make good use of the fine weather to get a single days walk in on the east coast. Not being an ardent fan of Royal Weddings and again not receiving an invite, I left the happy couple to it!

I set off at 05:00 to drive to the East Riding of Yorkshire. I had two chores to do before I started walking, the first was to drop my bicycle off at Kilnsea and the second was to visit my auntie and uncle who live in a small village close to Withernsea.

It was a gloriously hot day when I arrived in Withernsea, I parked in the free car park close to Aldi and then set off down the promenade. High tide had occurred two hours before so I was soon able to get down on the beach and continue walking south. Again not much in the way of things to see when walking along the beach. I kept an eye out for the natural gas terminal at Easington, which is the processing point for the gas shipped from the Easington gas field some 47 miles offshore. I soon arrived at Kilnsea and bought an ice cream at a cafe. I transferred back onto the road and picked up the bicycle I had left some hours before. My intention was to walk to the end of Spurn Head and then ride the bicycle back to Kilnsea.

Vintage photographs of yesteryear adorn boardings in Withernsea

Large net bags of shells acting as groynes

Arriving at Kilnsea, with WW2 ruins strewn across the beach

I set off down Spurn Head which was very busy. I passed over the “wash over” section which makes the lower section into a Tidal Island. The land was quite narrow and you could see large areas, particularly at the southern tip, given over to military installations largely overgrown, some from the First World War. I walked to the tip of Spurn Head and joined a small group of people who had gathered there to gaze across the Humber estuary to Lincolnshire on the far side. For those that did not fancy the long walk there was a lorry people carrier that ferried people down the Spurn, at a price. I cycled back to Kilnsea, but there were a number of sections where the road had washed away and I was forced to push the bike again through the soft sand.

I arrived back in Kilnsea and continued on foot pushing the bike. In retrospect I should have just left my bike there and caught a bus back to Withernsea and returned to pick the bike up. However, I continued along the grassy sea wall, pushing my bike. The grass was fairly long in places, which impeded progress to a small degree. I was aiming for Welwick Salt Marsh, where an access road from the village comes down to the estuary. I was certainly glad to see the Salt Marsh end point as I had underestimated the time taken and I still had the cycle ride back to the car at Withernsea. Still, walking down the length of The Spurn was the highlight of the days walk.

A bulk carrier vessel passes Spurn Point

Looking across the Humber towards Lincolnshire at Spurn Point

Improvised people wagon operated by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Heading up the Humber Estuary along the grassy sea wall

Distance today = 21 miles
Total distance = 3,802 miles

212. Shiel Bridge to Skye: Kyleakin

Today I would reach Skye, which would be another milestone for me. I drove to Kyleakin on Skye, which was the old ferry crossing point before the Skye Bridge was built. I then caught the #917 Inter-city bus service back down the road to Shiel Bridge. I had not pre-booked a seat on the bus, as is normally advised, because of the short journey. I originally intended to cycle back down the road, but because the road was so busy I decided against it.

I would be walking on road all day along the very busy A87, with a multitude of cars, lorries and motorbikes coming and going in both directions. I got off the bus at Shiel Bridge and set off down the A87 walking on a footpath that ran alongside the road for much of the way. There were some sections where I had to verge-hop, but generally it was ok. As I passed the Kintail Lodge Hotel, I walked through a small herd of feral goats. There were warning signs to motorists and this apparently has become a local hazard, I counted about 20 of them. I crossed over the River Croe and passed through Inverinate, shortly afterwards the footpath stopped. Fortunately, the verges were reasonably wide. Often when I have drive down this road alongside Loch Duich I have been slightly confused which direction Skye is, however, since identifying the hill Beinn na Caillich on Skye, this has ceased to be a problem.

I noticed on the map a minor road which ran parallel parallel with the A87, however, the road climbed quite high with twists and turns, so I stayed on the main road, traffic and all! Just before the small village of Dornie I passed the restored and iconic castle of Eilean Donan, the car park was packed. I wondered if this castle was the most photographed in Scotland? I decided that this honour probably went to Edinburgh Castle. I crossed the bridge over Loch Long and turned left down a minor road through the hamlet of Ardelve, that gave some respite from the almost incessant traffic of the main road. Unfortunately it did not last too long and I was soon back on the A87. At Balmacara I popped into the Spar shop to get myself a coffee and some cool drinks. As I sat drinking my coffee on the lochside I could look down Loch Alsh to the Skye Bridge. I could also see where the Sound of Sleat (actually Kyle Rhea) emerged into Loch Alsh.

Shiel Bridge with the #917 bus heading for Inverness

You don’t often see pigs in the Highlands, this British Saddleback looked right at home!

Looking down Loch Alsh towards the Cuillins

I passed the Donald Murchison monument and was totally underwhelmed that a monument could be erected for someone who collected rents for an absent landlord. I could now see Kyle of Lochalsh and I picked my pace up. I crossed the railway bridge and looked down on the station, a train was waiting to depart back up the twisty ‘turney’ route across to Inverness. I continued along the approach road to the bridge and passed by where I remember the toll booth was originally sited. The views from the Skye Bridge were amazing especially down Loch Alsh and out west across to Raassy and Northern Skye.

At the first roundabout I turned left and headed into Kyleakin.

Kyle of Lochalsh railway station with Beinn na Caillich in the distance

Looking up Loch Alsh from the Skye Bridge

Looking North West to the Cuillins from the Skye Bridge

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24126

Distance today = 18 miles
Total distance = 3,781 miles

211. Sandaig to Shiel Bridge

I had been looking forward to this walk, especially the section around the northern part of the peninsular. But first I needed to do some road walking, which meant dropping down to Glenelg. Glenelg is a nice quiet little village, with its own Inn. The village has also a twin……… on Mars! NASA named the area close to the Mars Science Laboratory (where the Curiosity rover) was based.

I had left my car in Glenelg and also dumped my bike 7 or 8 miles away on the top of the Mam Ratagan; well it would be a free and enjoyable ride back down! I headed across to the outflow of the Glenmore River, passing the ruined Bernera Barracks which were built-in the early 18th century and deserted in 1797. I then came to the public road towards the Skye ferry at Kyle Rhea. At this point the Sound of Sleat narrows considerably and on this quiet morning I could have easy shouted to someone on the Skye shore and received a reply back. The public road ended at the ferry and a good footpath continued on. New footpath signs indicated that Totaig was some 10.6km away. The path was well constructed and very enjoyable to walk on. After a mile the path which runs alongside Kyle Rhea emerged into Loch Alsh and also dropped down to the shoreline.

I continued along the shoreline path to Ardtintoul. Ardtintoul once housed buildings used as a Royal Navy fuel store during the Second World War, now deserted and used by the local salmon fishing farm. This was also the place where the good footpath ended and poor signage began. My first obstacle was the Allt na Dalach burn, at the shoreline it would be above my knees deep, which meant going further upstream and fording it there. I did that quite easily, then I had to climb over a deer fence on steep bank. The fence was in bad shape and could not have taken my weight, plus it had a barbed wire top! Fortunately I came across a hole in the fence that deer had been using to pass through. I emerged on an ATV track which was going in the wrong direction, I was also faced with a large section of woodland which had been de-afforested about 10 years ago. I struggled across the cut down forest to where I thought the footpath might be.

I entered Ardtintoul Wood, but could not pick up the old footpath. The good thing about mature plantations is that there is good spacing between the trees and the lower branches snap off easily. I used the land contours to continue in the direction I needed to go and after about 20 minutes picked up a track that had been marked out with red and white plastic tape. The path was very wet and boggy. Eventually I emerged onto open moorland and could look down Loch Alsh to the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh. I descended slowly to Totaig, passing the ruined Broch of Casteal Grugaig.

Walking along Loch Alsh towards Ardtintoul

Looking back towards Beinn na Caillich on Skye

Looking down Loch Alsh to the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh

Totaig was really just a small two roomed cottage, which appeared to be no longer habited. This was the north-eastern bit of the Glenelg peninsular where Loch Alsh passed into Loch Duich and just a short distance from Eilean Donan castle on the opposite shore. Totaig was also at the end of the public road, which I then had 5 or 6 miles of walking down to Shiel Bridge. To get back to Glenelg I then needed to climb up the twisty road to the top of the Mam Ratagan. Needless to say I was quite tired when I eventually reached the top. The bike ride back down to Glenelg was worth it though!

Looking across Loch Duich to Eilean Donan Castle from Totaig

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24124

Distance today = 20 miles
Total distance = 3,763 miles

210. Kinloch Hourn to Sandaig

Problems with my car and bike prevented me from making an earlier trip to Scotland, but once I got sorted saw me heading for the West Coast on a three-day trip that would eventually lead me onto Skye.

I set off from Shropshire at 04:30 with the hope I could get some walking in later that day. The long drive to Corran (about a mile down the road from Arnisdale) was on a lovely Saturday morning and I made good progress especially as I opted to try the slightly longer A9 approach through Dalwhinnie.

I arrived at Corran at 14:00 and got myself ready. My aim was to walk in through Glen Arnisdale and head towards Kinloch Hourn; I was looking for a marker I had left close to the trail that I had left two weeks ago. I would then retrace my steps back to Corran and continue up the public road through Arnisdale. I must admit I rarely have to retrace my steps, but on this occasion it was the only practical solution. I did contemplate a return walk back over Druim Fada, which would have been very scenic, but the long drive and the fact I would have further miles to do upon my return to Corran meant it would be too much. I had hoped to push my bike along and use it on the return leg, but unfortunately, the track looked a little rough for my “new” second-hand “urban” bike. So I was to walk in and out on foot.

I managed to locate my “marker” and headed back to Corran. I soon met my only other walker of the day, who was doing the TGO Challenge – a coast to coast trek over 13 days. The track to and from Corran was almost a full vehicle track and gave easy walking underfoot. After fording the Abhainn Ghleann Dubh I beared left back down Gleann Dubh Lochain. Glen Arnisdale and Gleann Dubh Lochain are both quite short Glens and are really one of the same. This is because the glen walls of Druim Fhada and Beinn Clachach pinch together to form a rock barrage about half way down. This creates a small gorge and the path climbs high to get around it. The upper Gleann Dubh Lochain also contains two lochs sharing the same name – Dubh Lochain, both were originally dammed and are now breached.

I followed the track above the gorge and then steeply down into Glen Arnisdale, where the path was level and covered under the shade of Silver Birch. By the time I got back to Corran it was early evening and Sheena’s tea hut was closed. I now had a number of miles to go on the public road heading towards Glenelg. I decided to see how far I could get before calling it a day. The road had a series of steep up and downs which was very tough going in the evening sun. I made it as far as Sandaig before deciding to ride my bike back to the car at Corran. Sandaig is famous for being the location for Gavin Maxwell’s’ novel Ring of Bright Water, describing his life with his pet otter Mij. The house that he lived in he named Camusfearna which burnt down in 1968. I remember doing this book for English Literature O-Level at School. Little did I realise all these years later I would be visiting where it all took place. Most of the area has now been de-afforested.

My “marker” at the start/mid point of the walk, above Gleann Dubh Lochain

The upper lochain at Gleann Dubh Lochain

Looking towards Glen Arnisdale over the lower Gleann Dubh Lochain, the Druim Fada is to the left

Looking back uo Gleann Dubh Lochain with Sgurr na Sgine in the far distance

Looking down Glen Arnisdale towards the Cuillins in the far distance

I cycled back to the car and drove back towards Glenelg. I found a small pull-in high above the Sound of Sleat. The view was amazing, looking down on Glenelg and Skye just a short distance across the water.

Looking back towards Arnisdale and Corran in the early evening

NB: I also publish all my Scottish Blog entries on the excellent Scottish Hills website, I use the same narrative, but larger photos and a few extra ones. They can be found here:

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24122

Distance today = 19 miles
Total distance = 3,743 miles

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