Ceann a' Mhara and Tràigh Bhi, Balephuil

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Whilst Tiree is largely flat and fertile, the Ceann a'Mhara headland is the exception, with rugged and dramatic coastal scenery. With the contrasting approach across the sands of Tràigh Bhi, this walk is a Tiree classic.

Terrain

Sandy beach, then rough, rocky and pathless walking before return across grassy machair.

Public Transport

Tiree has a Ring-n-Ride bus service operating on request; it can be booked between 1 week and 1 hour in advance of your journey, when available.

Start

Parking area on machair south of Loch a'Phuil (access via Meningie). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a dedicated parking area just south of Loch a'Phuill, accessed via a track from Meningie. It is possible to drive further across more open machair to a second parking area behind the beach, but the first fenced parking area on the left of the track is best for this route. Before beginning, it is worth visiting the bird hides on the opposite side of the track to see the bird life - especially over-wintering geese - on the loch and its surroundings. The walk proper then begins from the other end of the parking area, through a pedestrian gate with a footpath marker.

Stage 2

Pass through the gate and walk across the machair, keeping the fence on your left. The route (and fence) bends right and then left before leading down onto the sands of Tràigh Bhi - a typically magnificent Tiree beach. Turn right along the sands to the far end of the beach, then continue across the grasses and then rougher ground above the shore.

Stage 3

Aim to reach the scant ruins of Patrick's chapel - with only a low gable wall standing - set back and above the coastline. This isolated chapel dates from as far back as the 7th century; inside what remains of the walls are two old stones carved with crosses. From the chapel continue traversing round, keeping above the rocky inlets of the increasingly rugged coastline.

Stage 4

On a clear day the magnificent Skerryvore lighthouse - regarded as perhaps the most elegant in the world, and certainly the tallest in Scotland - can be seen on the horizon. Eventually a fence is reached; head uphill alongside this, keeping the fence (which runs close to a cliff edge) on your left. In the early summer it is possible to get great views of the teeming seabird life on the cliffs.

Stage 5

An elegant cairn is reached on the western summit of Ceann a' Mhara, where a grand view opens out northwards over Tràigh nan Gilean and Ben Hough. Descend into a gap before a steady climb up to the higher eastern summit of Beinn Ceann a'Mhara - Mullach Mòr .

Stage 6

Follow the fence southeast to a corner, then descend eastwards initially over rough ground before reaching the rich grass of the machair. Continue east across the dunes and grass to make a direct return to the car park at the start of the walk.

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Ceann a' Mhara and Tràigh Bhi, Balephuil

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Public Transport

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