A short walk exploring the coastline at Flodigarry - one of the best spots on Skye for hunting fossils.
Summary
Gentle paths down to the coast, but the walking along the shore itself is awkward, crossing boulders.
Terrain
NG465715
Grid ref
1.5km/0.75 miles
Distance
Grade
By phone box at junction in Flodigarry township
Start
Maps
GPS Waypoints
View in 3D
Users'
rating
No trip reports have been submitted for this walk. Why not be the first?
Add your own report on this walk and win £40 of TISO vouchers each month
Users'
reports
Bus number 57 - 4 times a day from Portree - get off at Flodigarry.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
Pronunciation
and meaning
1. Take the minor road signed for Flodigarry from the A855 (not the road for Flodigarry Hotel). Park at the minor road junction down the hill, beside the phone box - taking care not to block any of the roads. The walk begins along the track opposite the phone box (to the left when facing the coast). The track passes through a gate with some interpretative stones and gives views of the grand Flodigarry Hotel ahead.
2. After 400 metres follow the pebbled path which heads off to the right (going through the gate ahead gives access to the hotel). The cottage just visible behind and to the right of the hotel was once the home of Flora MacDonald, the famous Jacobite heroine. As the path descents there are fine views looking out over Flodigarry Island towards the Torridon mountains across the sea, with giants such as Beinn Alligin and Slioch prominent. Continue down the pebbled path until it ends, just short of the shore. Turn left here and follow the grassy path down to the beach.
3. The beach is covered in large, slippery boulders. Turn right along it with care. After a couple of hundred metres there are eroding mud banks on the right of the beach - this is the foot of the continuing landslides coming down from the Quiraing above. It is this slide that is constantly depositing new rocks onto the beach - and new fossils. Ammonites and belemnites can be found, particularly in the grey shale-like rocks.
4. Offshore here is Flodigarry Island. During World War 2, a conscientious objector hid on the island and lived there for several years, surviving on supplies brought over by local crofters. Continue along the shore until reaching a ruined stone building.
5. Head up behind this building to a kissing-gate above. Go through the gate and up the path beside the overgrown stream. This leads out onto a minor road beside the garden of a bungalow. Head up the road to return to the start.
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
Portree Hotels
Portree B&B
Trotternish B&B
Portree cottages
Trotternish cottages
Skye hostels
Route profile
