The sixth stage of the Skye Trail presents a lovely, slightly easier, day with great views to Sleat and the small isles, ending at Torrin where there is a summer cafe and a B&B. The road is followed for a short section between Kirkibost and Keppoch where a path to a clearance village is followed before a final longer road section around the head of Loch Slapin to Torrin.
Summary
Good paths, track and minor road.
Terrain
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1. From Elgol take the road for Glasnakille and pass the shop and community hall. The road climbs over the peninsula, giving good views of the Isles of Eigg and Rum. It begins to descend again from a wireless transmitter mast, until it reaches a 'T' junction with another minor road at Glasnakille.
2. The Spar Cave can be visited from here, but only if you've timed things to perfection for the tides. Instead, turn left along the minor road. It passes several whitewashed croft houses with fine views across to Sleat and the mountains of Knoydart beyond. The road ends at a gate and continues as a grassy track, and heads into woodland. This area is very sheltered for Skye and the woods are full of primroses, wood anemone and other wildflowers in the spring, as well as many birds.
3. Once past a house the track becomes a tarmac road once more and passes some more houses. As the road swings left up the hill, continue on slightly downhill on another track. Keep on the track towards a whitewashed house, but just before reaching its garden, a stone marker indicates a path leads off to the right. This continues round the coast until emerging on another minor road near some cottages.
4. Continue along the road, soon heading inland and passing Kilmarie House, once the home of Iain Anderson from the 60's band Jethro Tull. The minor road leads beside a stream and through the woodland, soon reaching the B8083 at Kirkibost. Turn right and follow the road for 1.2km. Just after passing a small cottage on the right, look out for a fence running down the edge of a forestry plantation on the left of the road to a small layby. Here you can either go through the gate and follow the rough path between the forestry and the fence which is very boggy higher up and has some wind-blown trees to negotiate, or keep to the right of the fence and climb a pathless section until the ruins of Keppoch are reached at the top.
5. If you have come up next to the trees climb the stile to explore the ruins of this village, forcibly cleared of its 44 families in 1852 - many being forced to board a ship for Australia. Go back over the stile and continue along the edge of the forestry and then follow the faint path over open ground. Watch out when the path curves right to cross a stream on stepping stones as this is easily missed. The path soon improves and has good views of the Red Hills and Torrin across Loch Slapin.
6. Eventually the path descends and crosses a bridge to reach the car park for Bla Bheinn. Turn right to reach the main road and turn left to follow the road all the way to Torrin. The head of Loch Slapin is picturesque and is dominated by Beinn na Cro until you reach the far side and look back at the craggy form of Bla Bheinn (Blaven). If wild camping this section presents the best opportunities before you reach Torrin. The tidal area is also a good place to spot wading birds and the occasional otter. Torrin has B&B and the excellent Blue Shed Cafe open every day April to October and at weekends in November, February and March. The bus from Elgol passes through here on the way to Broadford.
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