A very easy walk to an enchanting sandy bay. Magical on a fine evening.
A very easy short walk.
No public transport. Nearest bus stop is in Carbost 6 kilometres from start of walk.
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Parking at end of minor road to Talisker. Map and directions.
Park on the verges at the end of the tarmac road to Talisker (the tiny settlement, and not the Talisker distillery which is actually at Carbost). The walk begins along the left hand track; there is a sign reading 'To the bay'. After passing a gate, the track emerges at the side of Talisker House. This stately white house dates from the 1720s and for centuries was the home of the next-in-line to the Macleod chief. Dr Johnson and James Boswell stayed here during their tour of the Hebrides, Boswell writing 'Talisker is a better place than one commonly finds in Sky. It is situated in a rich bottom. Before it is a wide expanse of sea, on each hand of which are immense rocks; and, at some distance to the sea, there are three columned rocks rising to sharp points. The billows break with prodigious force and noise on the coast of Talisker. There are here a good many well grown trees.' Today the house is a holiday home.
The track continues through a further gate beyond the house. Looking back, the prominent dome-shaped hill ringed by cliffs is Preshal Mor. Boswell ascended this with Donald MacLean, the then Laird of Coll; the route up the cliffs is known as Boswell's Buttress and is quite a scramble. The track rises slightly before emerging at the southern end of Talisker Bay.
Talisker Bay is a beautiful beach of stones and sand, best visited at low tide. There is both black and white sand on the beach, often mottled together to create patterns. The northern side of the bay is hemmed in by vertical cliffs and an impressive waterfall, whilst the southern side is closed off no less impressively by a great sea stack.
The bay is a wonderful place to linger and is renowned for its sunsets. Return to the start the same way.
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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.
