Gleann Beag and the Glenelg Brochs to Suardalan

 GLENELG PENINSULA

An easy going walk combining the fascinating iron age brochs of Glen Beag with the wild open moorland at the head of the glen.

Summary

The walk follows the road up the glen and then onto, sometimes muddy, landrover track up onto the moor.

Terrain

NG829174

Grid ref

14km/8.75 miles

Distance

grade grade Key

Grade

265m [Profile]

Ascent

4 - 5 hours

Time

Bog Factor

Start

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Infrequent bus service to Arnisdale, get off at Glen Beag turning.
Open Traveline Scotland

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Pronunciation
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1. Park near the Dun Telve broch having passed through the village of Glenelg and turned left up Gleann Beag. Both the iron-age brochs are well worth exploring. Much remains of the sturdy fortress in which it is thought people lived on a wooden suspended gallery with a central opening for light and smoke to pass. They are well positioned to see the arrival of attackers from the sea and get their animals and people behind the safety of the double walls.



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2. Follow the road up the glen a short way to Dun Troddan broch, possibly even more impressive than the last one. Once you have explored this broch continue until the end of the public road at a farmhouse. Go through the gateway to the right of the farmhouse and follow a track straight ahead. The track fords a stream and then climbs uphill, passing the remains of a third broch, Dun Grugaig, on the right.



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3. The track continues to follow the glen which narrows with pretty, native woodland in parts. Continue on the track passing underneath electricity pylons carrying electricity to Skye from the Tomdoun hydro station. The track stays close to the river for a while. The track then branches in two - follow the left hand branch signed for Glenelg and pass through a farm gate.



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4. Follow the track as it climbs gently onto the open moorland. At the top of therise you can see Loch Iain Mhic Aonghairs to the left. There is a real sense of being in the middle of a wilderness even though the route follows a landrover track. You can either return from this point or continue for another rough and boggy kilometre downhill to the bothy at Suardalan. This is maintained by volunteers from the Mountair Bothy Association so please help by carrying out any rubbish and keeping the place tidy. If possible leave a report on its condition on its page on the MBA website when you get back. The return is by the same route.



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Route profile


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