A fine circuit exploring the fascinating landslips and pinnacles just north of the Quiraing
Summary
An excellent path for the outward walk uphill; the return walk crosses some pathless moorland and steep grass slopes
Terrain
NG464710
Grid ref
5km/3 miles
Distance
Grade
Start of Loch Langaig/Harsco footpath, Flodigarry
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Bus number 57 from Portree. Ask to get off at foot of Loch Langaig footpath - 0.5km north from the roadside picnic area by
the loch at Dunans.
Open Traveline Scotland
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Pronunciation
and meaning
1. Park near the footpath sign (for Maoladh Mor via Quiraing) at the start of the clear path to Loch Langaig, or alternatively in an old quarry 50 metres further north. Early in the twentieth century this path was the route to diatomite workings at the lochs above; it was repaired by the Skye & Lochalsh footpath initiative in the 1990s and today gives an excellent, easy to follow, route; the first section is suitable for a short family walk. Almost immediately from the road the path passes round the north shore of Loch Langaig before climbing the hill beyond and passing above Loch Hasco.
2. High up to the right are the impressive cliffs of Leac nan Fionn, or Fingal's tomb. Fingal was a giant warrior in Scottish mythology, derived from the Irish legends of Finn, builder of the Giant's Causeway. His tomb is a strange table-shaped hill which is prominent in views from Staffin; the cliffs around it relent only at the southern end. Above Loch Hasco the path begins to climb more steeply again. Once it begins to level off, look up at the skyline to the right, where a lower saddle is crossed by a drystone wall. To the right of the saddle is a great prow of rock forming the last buttress of Fingal's tomb, whereas to the left are a series of small pinnacles. Leave the path here and head up towards the saddle. There are traces of a path up the grassy slope to this wall - head up to it (continuing on the main path leads to the Quiraing). The wall is easily passed to the right directly below the impressive buttress; the views back towards the Quiraing are very dramatic.
3. Cross the boulders just beyond and pass over a grassy saddle. You are now in a slightly boggy hollow between Leac nan Fionn on the right and other knobbly hills to the left. It is well worth detouring from here up to the right to visit the top of Leac nan Fionn; a sheep path winds up between two sections of cliff. At the top, the ground falls away immediately in front into an impressive gully; turn left here to visit the grassy top of Leac nan Fionn. There are impressive views across the landslipped ground below the Quiraing, and the lochs. The sides of Leac nan Fionn are vertical in many places and it is best to return back down the way you came to the grassy col.
4. Now begin to contour round the slopes of Leac nan Fionn. Pass round the back of Leac nan Fionn, keeping it to your right, into a basin, with the high cliffs of Sron Vourlinn barring exit to the north. Listen carefully - there is a tremendous echo here. Continue round the base of the slopes on the right, which keeps you away from the boggy ground lower down, to reach a fence and drystone wall at the eastern edge of the basin. The fence needs to be climbed; it is best to do this next to the big corner post. The wall can then be crossed at a low point just slightly to the left (passing round the right edge of the wall is also possible but is on the edge of a big drop).
5. Fingal's pinnacles are now prominent at the bottom of the slope below. Begin the descent from the lowest point of the drystone wall. Grassy ramps soon lead down towards the pinnacles, sloping first to the right before heading back left. The pinnacles are scenically similar to the Storr Sanctuary, though on a slightly smaller scale and much less visited. Pass to the right of the stubby main pinnacle, and just to the left of the prominent finger of rock. Beyond, a sheep path begins to descend and crosses a steep slope above an attractive little lochan. From here, the route continues to slope downhill across the heather slope on the right, making for the southernmost of the three cols in view. The ground is steep and tussocky, but just beyond the col the path used on the outward route will be rejoined. Turn left along it to reach Loch Langaig and return to the start.
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