A gentle walk to the remains of the deserted village of Screapadal. The peaceful spot has impressive views over to Applecross. The return route gives the chance to see the ruins of Brochel castle.
Summary
Clear tracks and paths.
Terrain
Parking area on north road just before Brochel.
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of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. From the small parking area on the left side of the road as you head north (which is signed for the North Pole in Inverarish!) cross the road and take the signed track to the right. Go through the gate and head downhill on the track. Soon you pass the remains of a crofthouse on the right. Continue downhill, zig zagging on the steeper section with good views over the sea ahead.
2. The track turns to the right and levels off, continue straight ahead ignoring the turning to the left that leads down to the pebbly shore and a small jetty. Continue straight ahead through the cleared forestry and pass over a wooden bridge. The steep and bare cliffs of Creag na Bruaich are clearly visible up ahead, these are favourite crags for birds of prey and crows. When you reach the turning area at the end of the clear track, follow a faint path uphill where there is a green marker post. Follow the path down a steep rocky path where faint steps have been cut, there is a hand rail here but care should be taken if the path is wet. Cross the wooden bridge at the bottom and follow the path up the other side of the small ravine.
3. The track resumes, and the green sward of Screapadal comes into clear view ahead. Keep following the path until you reach a gate which you go through and pass above a wooden shed. Follow the path as it passes below the remains of the houses of North Screapadal and cross a stream and climb up the other side. After a short while, the houses of South Screapadal come into view above you. The easiest way to climb up to them is by following the path a little way further and climbing up on the gentler ground before the next stream. You can explore the ruins and get good views of North Screapadal from here before heading down towards the path above the wooden shed.
4. Screapadal was the subject of a Gaelic poem by Raasay-born Sorley Maclean. In the poem he describes the beauty of Screapadal and how the clearances left the township deserted except for sheep but that the beauty could not be destroyed by one landlord's efforts. He then describes the black sleek back of a submarine rising from its base at Applecross and muses about the threat of nuclear destruction that would leave Screapadal without even beauty. The full poem, with English translation can be found in From Wood To Ridge, and is available in the bookshop.
5. Once you have explored the area, return to the track and follow it back, crossing the wooden bridge at the stream. There are good views ahead with Castle Brochel visible at times. As you start to climb uphill take the faint path to the right amidst the tree stumps. Follow the boggy path as it climbs uphill and around the headland. The path is not waymarked and can be indistinct in places. Castle Brochel is visible through the remaining birch trees. Keep following the path as it keeps to a stony ledge and then heads downhill towards a gate in the fence. Go through the gate to emerge on the road.
6. From here you can head right downhill and along the road for 100 metres to get a better view of Brochel Castle. Built in the late 15th or early 16th century by Raasay's first Macleod chief, Calum, the castle is built on a volcanic plug it provided a strategic stronghold to control (and plunder) shipping on the Sound. Today much of the masonry has eroded, however the full structure would have had four, high, towers and would have presented an impregnable wall towards the sea. Turn back and head up the road back to the parking area and the start of the walk.
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