The third stage of the West Island Way heads inland to climb over farm and moorland before entering forestry to emerge near the ferry terminal at Rhubodach. To complete the West Island Way the route then turns south here to follow the pleasant coast road back to Port Bannatyne.
Summary
Minor road, forestry track, and open farmland and moorland with only faint paths, can be very wet underfoot.
Terrain
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1. Start about a kilometre from Port Bannatyne where the second stage of the West Island Way emerges onto the A844 just west of Kames Bay - there is a finger post here. Follow the road west away from Kames Bay and keep right at a fork to follow the B875 signed for Ettrick Bay. After a short while St Colmac's church is passed on the right. The church was built in 1836 by the second Marquess of Bute as a Gaelic church for the northern parish of Bute, it closed in 1980.
2. Just before Ettrick Bay is reached, turn right along a signed road heading inland. Pass some houses and keep straight on at the junction for Achavoulaig where the track deteriorates as it heads up towards Glenmore Farm. Here pass the farmhouse and barn on your right and go through the kissing gate onto the field beyond. Keep straight on following a faint track on the ground. The track becomes clearer when it dips to cross a stream in a pronounced dip.
3. Continue straight ahead and through an open gateway onto rougher grazing land. Here keep the fence on your left and keep straight ahead. At the field corner, go through the kissing gate and head diagonally right across boggy ground towards the a prominent lump ahead. There are two way markers an intervals to ensure you are on the right route. Do not climb the lump, but head diagonally to the left to pass between two large trees slightly downhill.
4. Keep in the same direction and go through a kissing gate next to a metal farm gate onto open moorland in the bottom of the valley. Here a faint path heads across wet ground in the same direction, cross the Glenmore Burn on a small bridge. Head for a marker post just on top of a crag to the left of the first visible corner of forestry plantation. Climb up to the marker post and then keep climbing on a faint path which eventually reaches a gate and marker post leading into the forestry plantation.
5. The path heads east through the trees on a narrow path following a forestry ride at first. At a turning circle it joins a forestry track and continues straight ahead. The track passes a small lochan and keeps to the left of the summit of Sight Hill. Where a track joins from the right keep straight on heading uphill. The track eventually passes through birch trees and sweeps downhill keeping right at a signed corner where a track joins from the left.
6. At the next bend keep left on the main track, ignoring the track to the right. The track eventually emerges from the trees with good views over the water to the mainland. Head down the farm track, climbing a stile part way, until the A886 is reached. From here it is only a 10 minute walk to the left to reach the ferry terminal at Rhubodach, from where it may be possible to catch a bus.
Next stage: Rhubodach to Port Bannatyne
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