The Old Coast Path, Corran

GLENELG PENINSULA


Summary :	A fabulous coastal walk on an enchanting, forgotten old path through stunning scenery.
Terrain :	The walk follows the line of an old and ingeniously constructed path; today the path is rocky and gives rugged going, occasionally above steep drops.
Grade :		Distance :	8km/5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	3.5 - 5 hours
Start :	Corran car park	Grid ref :	NG849094
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 413 - Knoydart online	Ascent :	208m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	No public transport to Corran; the nearest service is the infrequent bus service to Arnisdale.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Corran, at the very end of the scenic drive over the Mam Ratagan pass and through Glenelg and Arnisdale, must be one of the remotest spots in Britain accessible by car; it is a very beautiful and peaceful spot on the shores of the incongruously named Loch Huorn (the Loch of Hell). Park in the car park just before the village, and cross the bridge to reach the houses on foot. There is a footpath sign here indicating various routes off to the left, but our way is to turn right, passing the front of the cottages and then their sheds to continue right along the shore of the loch.

2. The route keeps on the seaward side of the drystone wall to loop right around the field; the wall ends by a house. From here, the way continues along the pebbly shore, passing the shed and swing to continue through the seaweed until there is an obvious, good path going up a ravine away from the sea to the left. Go up this path, which soon turns right and runs through the fine oak woodland a short distance above the sea. The path then descends once more to reach the broad bay Camas na Caillin. Keep a look out for otters along here as they can often be seen swimming just offshore.

3. Before the end of the bay, watch out for where the path cuts across the headland to the left. It soon comes back close to the sea, passing a whole series of pebbly coves with tremendous views across Loch Huorn into Knoydart. You'll notice sections of the path have been carefully constructed in stone; this route dates back to the heyday of the herring boom in the Highlands. After another broader bay the path crosses a deer fence at a kissing gate; just beyond is a boggy section across another bay.

4. Beyond here the coast slopes steeply into the loch and the way would be barred by great slabs were it not for the old herring route. This has been painstakingly constructed and threads a route across the slabs, sometimes with a sheer drop into the sea - a great feat of engineering. Further on, the path goes through a natural gap between two rockwalls before a final descent to a further bay.

5. The path ends here - a road to nowhere which doesn't seem to appear in guidebooks to the region - and the return must be made the same way. Pause a while to admire the view before leaving though; in the foreground are the three tiny islets of Corr Eileanan, whilst at the far end of the bay is the larger Eilean a Garbh-Iain, which can be reached at low tide. Beyond them and across Loch Huorn, the great mountain Ladhar Bheinn towers above Barrisdale Bay.

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