This short walk explores a small gorge on the Skipness River on a twisting woodland path that has steep drops on one section. The route climbs to the site of an iron-age fort with good views to Arran and then along a short hill ridge before descending through mixed woodland.
Summary
Woodland paths, narrow in places with steep drops, muddy in winter
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1. Start at the car park for Skipness Castle just off the B8001 beyond the church at Skipness. Take the path at the back of the car park signed with a footpath sign. Follow the path as it weaves through the woods thick underfoot with wild garlic and follow the River Skipness upstream. Keep on the main path ignoring any fisherman's paths down to the river.
2. After a while cross a small stream and reach a crossroads which is often muddy underfoot. Go straight across here to follow a path uphill. At the fork keep left through the trees. The path now follows a section where the river is in a small gorge - at times the path is narrow and has a steep drop on one side so take care especially with children.
3. The river can be glimpsed below between the trees and rhododendrons. Climb one set of stone steps and then continue straight ahead rather than carrying on up a second flight of stone steps. The path follows the side of the river until it climbs a set of wooden steps.
4. Continue up the stone steps until a marker sign points the way to the left to the dun or fort. Follow the short section of steep rough path to the top of Dunan Breac, or speckled fort. This iron-age fort is built on a natural hummock and commands great views to the mountains of Arran and the Kilbrannan Sound. Continue across the top of the fort and down the path on the other side. Follow the path as it crosses a small area of felled forest until it reaches another path, turn right here and ignore the signed path to the right but continue uphill until you reach a sign marked Car Park. Follow the direction of the sign to the right along a small ridge of hill with good views. The path narrows and heads downhill through widely spaced trees. Keep an eye out for a marker post indicating a sharp turn to the right before you reach a gate. This path heads through denser trees and then another sharp right takes you through rhododendrons and back to the outward path. Turn left onto the path to return to the muddy crossroads.
5. Turn right here and soon cross a small bridge over the river and then follow the path down the other side passing through a thick tunnel of rhododendrons before keeping alongside a stone wall. Eventually the stone bridge at the far end of Skipness is reached. Go through the gate onto the road and turn left to cross the bridge and return to the car park.
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