A superb hillwalk to the distinctive flat-topped summit of Dun Caan, the highest hill on the Isle of Raasay and a wonderful viewpoint.
Summary
There is a path for the whole route though it is boggy and indistinct in places. Steep ground but no scrambling involved.
Terrain
NG554342
Grid ref
17km/10.5 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
The ferry to Raasay sails from Sconser to East Suisnish several times a day (only one
Sunday sailing). Sconser is served by buses between Portree, Broadford and Kyleakin. Both the ferry times and
bus times are in the timetable.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Starting from the pier, turn left at the road before immediately turning right onto a grassy footpath heading uphill - it is signed for Dun Caan. The path follows the route of an old incline railway running to Raasay iron ore mine; the mine and railway closed early in the twentieth century and today the route makes an excellent footpath up the moor, with great views back across to the Red Hills on Skye. Continue along the old railway bed which runs dead straight towards Dun Caan.
2. As a forest plantation is reached, take the slope down into a cutting on the right to avoid a missing bridge. This gives access to a stile over a fence; continue into the forest on the same straight line as before. Soon a footpath cuts across the route; again continue right ahead. Shortly beyond the line crosses a deep valley where great pillars are all that remains of a viaduct. It is necessary to follow the path down into the valley and up the other side, where the rail route can once again be joined. Further on the route leaves the forest and emerges on a minor road. Turn left on the road and then immediately right into the site of the Raasay iron ore mine. The mine was worked by German prisoners during the first world war; today it is a peaceful spot and there are picnic tables. Continue on the track from the mine, which passes over a bridge and into the forest. This track is known as the 'Burma Road' - a reference to its construction by the prisoners of war.
3. After about six hundred metres the track crosses another bridge, and shortly afterwards take a footpath which climbs off to the right, with views of a waterfall. The footpath climbs steeply at first beside the Inverarish Burn and soon leaves the top of the forest at a stile. Beyond, the path continues heading up the moor, keeping fairly close to the stream. The path is boggy in places and a little indistinct in others; it never leaves the stream for long, apart from where it cuts a corner and there is a distant, brief view of Dun Caan's craggy summit. After several kilometres Loch na Mna is reached. Do not follow the path uphill onto the escarpment but instead keep on a lower path close to the shore of the loch. Beyond the loch, keep below the escarpment; another path comes in from the right, but ignore this and continue on until reaching a second loch, Loch na Meilich, which has a sign declaring it to be a public water supply.
4. Continue on the path which heads diagonally uphill to the right of the loch. After a short distance the path doubles back to the right, the first of a series of zig-zags up the steep slopes to Dun Caan. The summit looks very craggy from here, but the path up to it is excellent if closely followed and the flat, rock-strewn summit will soon be reached. There is a cylindrical ordnance survey column on the summit, which although only 443 metres high has superb views all round. The entire eastern coastline of Skye can be seen, whilst in the opposite direction is a great sweep of the mainland from the Five Sisters of Kintail to Ruadh Reidh. Boswell climbed up to the top of Dun Caan during his tour of the Hebrides with Johnson (who remained down in Raasay House, visited later on this walk); he was so delighted with the view that he danced a jig on the summit.
5. Return down the zig-zag path to Loch na Meilich. Instead of heading back towards Loch na Mna from here, cross the shingly ground by the loch and follow the clear path up the escarpment opposite. At the top of the escarpment, don't follow the branch path which heads along it to the left but instead keep to the main path straight on. This path gives good going across the moor until emerging on a road after about two and a half kilometres. Turn left along the road, which has very little traffic - you'll be lucky to see a car! After an initial descent the road climbs up to a water works; another road heads off to the right after about another five hundred metres. Don't take this, instead keeping straight on for over a kilometre to where an unsurfaced track branches off right through a gate. Take this track.
6. The track ends at a wrought-iron kissing-gate. Go through this and follow the path beyond, which soon slopes down left to another road. There are wonderful views across to Skye from here. Turn left along the minor road, which soon enters a forest. Keep a look out for a Pictish symbol stone just off the road on the left. Soon you'll pass on the left the 13th century St Moluag's Chapel and on the right the extremely grand Raasay House. This was almost completely restored in 2009 and was planed for use as an outdoor centre and community facility before being gutted by a devastating fire; rebuilding has started. Take the right fork just after the Free Presbyterian Church. This leads past the new Community Hall and back to Inverarish. Turn right at the village to return along the road to East Suisnish.
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