The singing sands is a magical place at any tide or weather. This, there and back, walk on tracks has a delightful first half next to the water and then through forestry plantation before emerging at the white sands.
Summary
Easy track throughout.
Terrain
Car park at end of Arivegaig road, off the Kentra road.
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1. Park at the car park at the end of the road at Arivegaig and start the walk by going through the gate and across the bridge. Follow the clear track as it turns to the right and follows the coastline. There are great chances for wildlife spotting on this first section of the walk.
2. Keep following the track as it hugs the shore. There are good views across to Eileanan nan Gad and other smaller islands in the bay. As the track turns to the right to head around Kentra Bay you pass a ford which heads directly to the house opposite at Gortoneon. Continue on the track, ignoring another track heading off to the left and walk around the head of the bay, cross the wooden bridge and keep to the right, ignoring the gate straight ahead, and pass by the front of the stone-built house.
3. After rounding the next corner the track heads into the forestry plantation for a duller section of the walk. As the route climbs gently uphill, a sign warns of the danger of unexploded munitions that can be found on the beach. During the second world war, the area was used for special forces training and other military operations and entry was by permit only. The signs warn that any metal objects found on the beach should not be disturbed. Continue on the straight forestry track for approximately 2 kilometres.
4. The forestry opens out into less dense woodland and the track crosses a small stream on a bend. Soon afterwards a clear junction is reached with a sign for the beach. Turn right here to head downhill through forestry to the back of Camas an Lighe. The track that continues straight ahead leads to Ockle, a good walk but transport has to be arranged. Instead, emerge from the trees to cross the small dunes and head onto the singing sands.
5. Plenty of time should be left to explore the sands, which form a quite stunning beach backed by birch woods. At low tide they stretch right across the bay and allow plenty of scope for exploring along the coastline to the right. To make the sands sing shuffle across with either bare feet or shoes. The noise is made by the grains of sand rubbing together and a number of factors are present at Camas an Lighe which make it possible. The sand grains are completely round and between 0.1 and 0.5mm in diameter, the sand contains silica and has the right level of humidity to generate the low frequency sound. Once you have fully explored the beach return is by the same outward route.
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