This moderate walk follows the coastline from Eigg's ferry pier, revealing some fabulous views and visiting an ancient carved stone cross. The walk leads to a beautiful sandy bay and rocky headland where there is a good chance of seeing seals, seabirds or the occasional otter.
Bog Factor
Minor road, rough tracks and paths
Eigg ferry pier.
Ferry to Eigg pier from Mallaig, limited summer service from Arisaig.
NM484838
At the pier is Am Laimhrig which houses the shop, cafe/restaurant, toilets and showers, and craft shop. From the pier take the tarmac road that bears right along the shoreline, passing beneath the standing stone erected to commemorate the community buy out of the island in 1997. 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 track heads through a rocky gap and then reaches a grassy area popular with informal campers in the summer. Beyond this cross a burn - usually possible with dry feet by using the stones.
There are some fine white sand beaches here at low tide, with the Sgùrr of Eigg appearing improbably inland. Continue along the coast, following the occasional orange markers.
Keep on the grassy ground never to far from the shoreline, 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.
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 towards a fence; follow this to the left until it reaches a stile. In clear conditions the views across the bay to the mainland are sensational.
Climb the stile and follow the path which descends steeply down the cliff and then along a narrow path in the trees. Once out of the trees go through a small gate and the road is reached opposite Kildonan 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 Kildonan. It is worth making a detour along a track to the left here to visit the ruined chapel and graveyard of Kildonan. This is named after St Donnan who established a monastery on Eigg in the 7th century; note the fine carved stone cross, the top of which is now broken off at the base.
Return to the track and this time keep to the right of the house and its garden, following the bumpy ground next to the fence. Pass through a gate and then head out to visit the rocky headland, passing a chambered cairn fairly near the shore. This is a good place to spot wildlife - with otters making frequent visits. Unless the tide is in, there is also a fabulous sandy beach.
From here retrace your steps back to the road and the mill, and back along the shore path to the stile. From here follow the path directly ahead across the grassy area. When this reaches a faint track bear right, crossing a stile and continuing towards the prominent Manse. Pass to the left of this, then go over a stile and follow a path above the woods. Aim for a very high stile. Cross this to gain the road - now turn left to follow it all the way back to the pier.
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