Calgary Bay and Art in Nature Sculpture Trail

An excellent sculpture walk heads down through Calgary Farm Wood to Calgary bay where a rough track leads to an old harbour. Leave time to explore the beautiful sandy bay before returning through the woods to the start, where there is also an excellent tea room.

Terrain

Woodland path with wooden steps in places which can be slippery, narrow track along shore, muddy in places.

Public Transport

None to start

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Start

Art in Nature car park, Calgary Farmhouse & Galleries, Calgary. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3km/1.75 miles
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Ascent: 60m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NM378515

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 374 - Mull North
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

As you come down the hill towards Calgary Bay from the Dervaig direction look out for the sandstone coloured Calgary Farmhouse on the right. Immediately opposite the entrance is the car park on the left for the sculpture walk and tea room. To start the walk, cross the road and go past the tea room on the right, bear round to the right to reach the gallery. The walk begins through this, but if the gallery is not open turn left to pass the side of the gallery and go down to the mill pond. Here you can buy a map of the route and/or leave a donation for the upkeep of the walk.

Stage 2

After passing the old mill pond which has an aluminium sculpture, Peace Cascade, hanging over the water, pass the Calgary Mosaic and ignore the steps uphill, instead continuing down alongside the stream. The remains of the old mill are passed on the left and then the Flotsom and Jetsom log. Much of the wood for the sculptures has been harvested by the local community forest near Dervaig, and local people have contributed to this sculpture wallk.

Stage 3

Keep following the path downhill, passing some lovely mature trees, and after a living willow tunnel, the Iona pebble mosaic and Leaf Seat are on the right. Ignore any paths to the right and soon a kissing gate is reached. Go through this and past the sheep and boat to reach the road.

Stage 4

Turn right for a very short distance along the road before turning right again along the track to the car park at Calgary Bay. Follow the track from the right hand side of the car park. Soon pass through a kissing gate next to a farm gate and keep following the well built track on the north side of the bay. The views back over the pure white sand are lovely.

Stage 5

Continue along the track, passing a distinctive rocky outcrop on the right which is the site of an iron age fort. Soon an old harbour with a stone built pier is reached. Although it is possible to continue past the fence, the way is much rougher and for this route turns round here and heads back to the car park.

Stage 6

If time allows, explore the wide sands which seem to sparkle even on dull days. Return along the road to the entrance to the sculpture walk and this time take the first turn on the left after the kissing gate. This leads to a short detour to the left to see a sculpture of a steel bed and copper man called In Dreaming. Continue up the hill to a great viewpoint over the bay.

Stage 7

From here there are a number of ways to return to the start. The quickest being to follow the top path through the trees and then descend the wooden steps back to the mill pond. However it is worth meandering along all the paths to see the varied sculptures and the interesting shapes made by the wind blown and taller trees themselves. Once back at the start, you can visit the tearoom (summer only) which also has exhibits as well as the separate gallery.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.