Shore walk and Kildonnan - Eigg

A short walk along the coast from the pier to a beautiful sandy bay and rocky headland where there is a good chance of seeing seals, seabirds and the occasional otter. Head inland to visit the old graveyard at Kildonnan and return through pleasant woodland.

Terrain

Minor road, rough tracks and paths

Public Transport

Ferry to Eigg pier from Mallaig, limited summer service from Arisaig

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Start

Eigg ferry pier. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.7km/3.5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 122m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NM484838

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 397 - Rum, Eigg, Muck
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

At the pier is Am Laimhrig which houses the shop, excellent tea room, toilets and showers, and craft shop. The shop and craft shop sell a pack of postcards of the waymarked walks on Eigg including this route which is marked with orange paint. From the pier take the Cleadale road heading to the right over the cattle grid, passing beneath the standing stone erected to commemorate the community buy out of the island in 1997.

Stage 2

The road hugs the coast, passing Shore Cottage and overlooking the old harbour. Before the road starts to climb turn right onto a narrow track heading around the bay. Once out of the low trees, the path passes a grassy area and crosses a stream on a plank to reach another grassy area popular with informal campers in the summer.

Stage 3

Here there is a lot of white sand at low tide. Continue along the coast following the occasional orange markers. Keep following the shore line, until an optional detour takes you slightly down the cliff to the ruins of a house. Do not continue ahead here but return to the top of the cliff and follow a faint path up to the right and inland slightly to reach a farm gate.

Stage 4

Go through the gate and up the grassy track for a short distance. Look out for the paint blobs on stones which show where you bear right to cross grass and bracken to reach a stile. Climb the stile and follow the path which descends steeply down the cliff and then along a narrow path in the trees.

Stage 5

Once out of the trees go through a small gate and the road is reached opposite Kildonnan Mill where the watermill used to power the grinding of corn and oats is reached. When the landowner set up the mill, and charged for its use, he ordered his factor to destroy all the quernstones on the island in order to force the islanders to use the mill. Turn right to follow the road almost to the gate of the large house at Kildonnan. Bear right just before the house to follow the bumpy ground next to the fence and head out to the rocky headland, passing a chambered cairn fairly near the shore. This is a good place to spot wildlife.

Stage 6

From here retrace your steps to the road and just a short way past the house turn right up a rough track which leads to Kildonnan graveyard. From here return back down to the road and return to the mill and back along the shore path to the stile. From here follow the path directly ahead which eventually reaches the trees at a kissing gate. Go through this and over the two small bridges. Turn left to follow the path down through the woods. At the end of the trees go through a gate and follow the grassy path down to the shore where you turn right to retrace your steps to the road and then turn left to return to the pier.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.