This short walk visits the haunting ruins of Arichonan, a township which was destroyed during the Highland Clearances. The site has fine views down Caol Scotnish.
Summary
Good forest paths and tracks
Terrain
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1. The walk begins from the Glean a Gealbhan forestry car park just off the B8025. Start by heading back up to the road and look out for a marker post on the far side indicating the beginning of the path. This heads through the trees to the right, keeping just above, but parallel, to the road at first. Further on the path forks; turn left uphill, still following the markers. The path now runs along a clearing in the trees intended for the pylons and slopes downhill before bearing right once more.
2. At one point steps lead off the path heading uphill to the right; continue straight ahead for now but the steps will be used on the return. The path then crosses a small burn before reaching the start of the abandoned village. In 1848 the landowner terminated the leases of four of the tenant families but when police came to enforce the evictions the villagers, supported by others from surrounding townships, rioted. Eventually several were jailed. The haunting remains of the houses enjoy a beautiful site, with fine views along the narrow channel of Caol Scotnish.
3. It is worth wandering up to the top end of the village, passing above two houses with more substantial remains; note the triangular windows on the upper house. After pondering the past and enjoying the present, return to the steps mentioned earlier, and this time head up them. They climb through the forest and soon reach a vehicle track.
4. Turn right along the track. At the next junction, where the track bends right and another track continues ahead, turn right. The track then curves round and eventually rejoins the road. Turn right along the road, watching out for traffic, to return to the start.
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