Rubh an Dunain, Glen Brittle

Rubh an Dunain is a peninsula in the shadow of the Cuillin; this walk has dramatic scenery and fascinating historical remains. Fabulous sunsets.

Terrain

Fairly good path out to the peninsula but very boggy and pathless ground once on Rubh an Dunain

Public Transport

No public transport. Nearest bus stop is in Carbost 6 kilometres from start of walk.

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Start

Parking at Glen Brittle above the beach. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km/8 miles
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Ascent: 369m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NG408206

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 411 - Cuillin Hills
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road. Follow the path to the left of the toilet block, turning right and passing water tanks before following the path close to the shore of Loch Brittle. There is also a track running parallel to the path at a slightly higher level, but you can save this for the return. After a couple of kilometres the Allt (stream) Coire Lagan is reached; if the water level is high then there is a bridge, slightly uphill and halfway between the path and track. There are also a couple of other smaller streams to cross which could be tricky after heavy rains. Beyond, continue on the path for another couple of kilometres.

Stage 2

The path forks below Creag Mhor. Take the left fork which climbs up to Creag Mhor's summit, which has splendid views of the Cuillins around Coire Lagan. Continue southwest and descend into the Slochd Dubh (Black Ditch) on boggy and pathless ground. The route from here to Loch na h-Airde is the boggiest part of the route; make your way as best you can to the south and then southwest to reach the southern shore of the loch. You may pass the ruins of a large house; this was the home of the Chief of Clan MacAskill until the nineteenth century.

Stage 3

Whether you found the MacAskill house or not, you should arrive at the southern edge of Loch na h-Airde. There is an iron age Dun on the hill to the left here, whilst the exit stream from the Loch has at some point been dug as a canal, obviously to enable boats to be dragged up to the safety of the loch. Theories at to the origin of this vary from it being dug by the Vikings to being a Victorian construction by the MacAskills. Cross the canal. This may not be possible at high tide, in which case you will have to detour round the loch.

Photo - Nigel Homer

Stage 4

Continue west to reach the headland proper before turning back to follow the northern coast. A wall is soon reached which leads back to Loch na h-Airde - on the far side near the loch is a chambered cairn dating from the Bronze Age, the best preserved example on Skye. You can still crawl through the original entrance to enter the inner chamber within the walls. After visiting the cairn, return to the northern coast. There is a fair path which can be followed round the coast, where sea eagles can occasionally be seen, and which eventually leads back to the Slochd Dubh and the path junction below Creag Mhor. The easiest return is to follow the rough vehicle track back to the campsite and Glen Brittle.

Photo - P Leedell

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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.