Loch Scalpaidh, near Kyle of Lochalsh

LOCHALSH: KYLE AND PLOCKTON AREAS


Summary :	A short walk to a little visited and extremely peaceful freshwater loch.
Terrain :	The path is fairly clear but there is a steep climb intially, and the route through some of the woods is very boggy
Grade :		Distance :	2.5km/1.5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 - 1.5 hours
Start :	Layby on north side of A87, 1.5 kilometres east of Kyle	Grid ref :	NG777274
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 428 - Kyle of Lochalsh	Ascent :	128m
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 :	Good public transport to Kyle of Lochalsh by both bus and train (1.5 km away); you could ask the Citilink bus drivers to stop at the layby at the very start of the walk.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

Loch Scalpaidh, near Kyle of Lochalsh no. 1

1. Park in the layby on the north side of the A87 1.5 kilometres east of Kyle of Lochalsh. There is a wooden public footpath sign at the start of the path. The path is excellent at first and climbs very steeply through attractive birch woodland; the view behind you across to the Kylerhea hills on Skye improves with every step.

Loch Scalpaidh, near Kyle of Lochalsh no. 2

2. The gradient eases slightly and a signed crossroads of footpaths is reached where the route intersects with the Balmacara to Kyle of Lochalsh walk. For Loch Scalpaidh, continue straight on, passing through a kissing gate. The path then bears slightly left through the grass and into more attractive birch woods. The going through these woods is very boggy in places. Beyond the woods, the path improves once more and continues up the left side of the valley, reaching a stile.

Loch Scalpaidh, near Kyle of Lochalsh no. 3

3. Cross the stile and the route bears right and then left between the rocks. It then passes to the right of a small copse before arriving on the shores of Loch Scalpaidh. This is an incredibly peaceful spot, being little visited; there is a distant view across the loch of the Applecross mountains. The return to the start is by the same route; alternatively, it is possible to continue round the east side of the loch before heading up to the Erbusaig - Balmacara road.

Have you done this walk?

If so, why not comment on it in our Forum. If you start a new topic in the walking discussion with the name of this walk as the topic, we will link the discussion to the walk so that others can read your comments here.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?

Please let us know by using the contact form.

Route profile

View Accommodation for this area:
Kintail hotels
Kintail B&B
Kyle of Lochalsh & Plockton self catering cottages
Kintail hostels
Kintail campsites