Macleod's Maidens

A fairly strenuous walk out to Idrigill Point to visit a group of impressive sea stacks.

Terrain

Good path for most of the route; pathless near the Maidens

Public Transport

No public transport. Bus number 56 to Glendale passes closest to the start; ask to get off at Orbost road end. This is 3.5km from the start.

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Start

End of minor road to Orbost house. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 17km/10.5 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 589m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NG257433

Maps / GPS

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GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the B884 Glendale road and turn onto the minor road to Orbost at the first corner. Follow this road to Orbost Farm, just before Orbost House, where it is possible to park. Walk along the track which soon leads to the shores of a bay, Loch Bharcasaig, where it bends to the right. If the weather is good there are superb views across the bay to the Cuillin. Continue on the track as it sweeps round to reach two houses in a forest clearing. Keep on the main left hand track here which crosses the stream and heads into the forest.

Stage 2

After a couple of kilometres the track crosses the Forse burn and passes through a gate. Just beyond, a waymarker indicates a clear path off to the right; follow this and not the track. The path is boggy in places but climbs over a low pass giving good views over the loch towards the windfarm on Ben Aketil. The descent leads down and passes through another gate. A sign indicates that you are now entering 'Rebel's Wood' in memory of Joe Strummer, lead singer of the Clash. Birches have been planted from hereon by Future Forests in a project to neutralise carbon dioxide emissions. Strummer was instrumental in the setting up of Future Forests. Soon a bench gives terrific views of Loch Harport and its many islands; the ruins in the foreground were once part of the settlement of Brandarsaig.

Stage 3

Continue along the path which eventually crosses a feeder and then the Idrigill burn to leave the fenced area at a gate just beyond. Just past the burn are the ruins of Idrigill, which must once have been a substantial village, with many lazybeds. The path continues clearly and aims up the the right side of the Glac Ghealaridh, a valley leading to a low pass.

Stage 4

Higher up the glen it is worth detouring if time permits by crossing the stream to ascend the heather slope opposite to reach the edge of the sea cliffs, which have a great view back to the double arches south of Brandarsaig Bay, unseen from the path. The detour is rough but the viewpoint is an excellent spot for a rest. Back on the main path, the path heads through another gate and then continues from the top of the Glac Ghealaridh. The route soon becomes more indistinct, contouring the left side of some low hills and briefly along the right hand side of a fence before continuing SSW to reach the coast at the Geodha nan Daoine, an inlet. Turn right here, keeping above the upper level of cliffs to the next headland, Rubha na Maighdeaban.

Stage 5

From the top of the impressive cliffs here you can admire the mighty sea-stacks known as Macleods Maidens. The largest stack is the Mother, and the two other contrasting stacks are known as the Daughters. The Mother stack was first climbed in 1959; ascents must be alarming as the top section looks ready to topple.

Stage 6

If you need to return to the car, by far the easiest option is to retrace your steps to Orbost. Experienced and very strong walkers who are also expert navigators, with plenty of time in hand, could continue along the spectacular coast (which is much rougher from hereon), northwest as far as Glen Ollisdal, passing the bothy there and climbing the pathless moorland to the Ollisdal lochs. It is then possible to descend east from the Bealach Bharcasaig, keeping to the left of the forestry (very rough going here) to eventually return to Orbost. The moorland crossing is very boggy and featureless; this would raise the walk to a very tough grade 4.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.