A delightful walk through fine woodland. The views across the Sound of Sleat to the mainland are superb.
Summary
Waymarked walk on good paths and tracks throughout. A fair amount of ascent and descent is involved.
Terrain
NG703162
Grid ref
6.5km/4 miles
Distance
Grade
Leitir Fura forest walks car park.
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No public transport to the car park. Nearest bus route are the regular buses between Armadale and Broadford - ask to get off
at the Kinloch Forest road end.
Open Traveline Scotland
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Pronunciation
and meaning
1. The Kinloch Forest / Leitir Fura road leads off the A851 a couple of hundred yards south from the Drumfearn turning, on the opposite site. The road is roughly surfaced for about a mile, where there is a car park. There are information boards here giving details of the walk, which continues back up on the main track from the car park. There are views down to Kinloch Lodge hotel between the track and the Sound - a wonderful location. After some distance there is a waymarked turning onto a path on the left side (signposted the 'Drover's path'). Turn up this path.
2. The path slants uphill through delightful woodland, mostly silver birch trees. There are wonderful views of Isle Ornsay, and, as the walk progresses, even better vistas of Knoydart and Loch Huorn, with Beinn Sgritheall towering above, and the Sandaig Islands just off the mainland. The site of Gavin Maxwell's cottage at Camusfearna can also be seen. Ignore the first turning off to the right (which makes a shorter circuit), but further on, follow the main path as it winds downhill through Leitur Fura, ignoring the path leading off left (signed Drovers path to Kylerhea).
3. Leitir Fura is the sad site of a settlement, abandoned early in the nineteenth century. The outlines of the houses can still be made out, and the setting couldn't be more beautiful. The residents were not forcefully cleared, but left voluntarily because of their poverty, although the landowners refusal to allow them to touch wood from the precious forest made their lives very difficult. The name derives from the Fura Mor, a great oak tree which once stood here. Two children from the village accidentally set fire to it - and their family was evicted as a result.
4. The path zigzags down through the village, emerging back on the main forest track. A plaque commemorates the visit and planting of a tree here by descendants of the original villagers, now resident in Nova Scotia. Turn right here to return to the car park, with good views over the Kylerhea narrows all the way. On the final approach to the start there are unexpected distant glimpses of the Cuillin Ridge, Bla Bheinn and the Red Hills ahead.
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