Gleann Beag and the Glenelg Brochs to Suardalan

GLENELG PENINSULA


Summary :	An easy going walk combining the fascinating iron age brochs of Glen Beag with the wild open moorland at the head of the glen.
Terrain :	The walk follows the road up the glen and then onto, sometimes muddy, landrover track up onto the moor.
Grade :		Distance :	14km/8.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	4 - 5 hours
Start :	Dun Telve Broch	Grid ref :	NG829174
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 413 - Knoydart online	Ascent :	265m
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 :	Infrequent bus service to Arnisdale, get off at Glen Beag turning.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

Gleann Beag and the Glenelg Brochs to Suardalan no. 1

1. Park near the Dun Telve broch having passed through the village of Glenelg and turned left up Glen 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.

Gleann Beag and the Glenelg Brochs to Suardalan no. 2

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.

Gleann Beag and the Glenelg Brochs to Suardalan no. 3

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.

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. The return is by the same route.

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