Explore the beautiful sandy beaches and dunes of Faraid Head just west of Durness, with good views over Cape Wrath and lots of nesting seabirds on the cliffs and grey seals at the right time of year.
Summary
Beach, track and path through dunes
Terrain
Balnakeil car park next to ruined church
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. Start from the car park at Balnakeil, reached by taking the minor road west from Durness, passing the Balnakeil Craft Village. The car park is next to a ruined church and the large Balnakeil House. This house dates from 1744 and was the seat of the Clan Mackay and sits on the site of a monastry founded by Maelrubha in about 720. From the car park go through the gate onto the superb sandy beach and cross it to the far end.
2. Here take the road that was built to service the Ministry of Defence training facility which sits at the end of Faraid Head and is part of the Cape Wrath firing range. The road which goes through the dunes is often covered by sand in places and must provide a challenging commute during stormy weather or very high tides. Follow the road through a gate in a stone wall. Most of the peninsula is privately owned and is used mainly for grazing sheep.
3. The main beach now comes into view on the left, a lovely expanse of white sand. Keep following the road which twists and rises through the dunes.
4. When a large sandy area is reached and the road is no longer visible bear left diagonally across this to pass a stone-walled enclosure, after which the route of the road can be followed. The road now climbs away from the shore, it is possible to follow a faint path around the smaller headland here, otherwise continue on the road as the MOD station comes into view. Just before the gate turn right to follow the fence to the cliffs on the other side. Detour to the right to a cairn which marks an excellent viewpoint.
5. Return to the fence and follow the cliff top with two large rocks sticking out of the water here. Eventually a path heading to the right is reached, take this to pass through the dunes to return to the road at the large sandy area on the outward route. There are numerous paths through the dunes, just keep heading ahead and to the right (west) and you should hit the path which leads back to the road.
6. From here retrace your steps back to Balnakeil beach and the start of the walk. At low tide it is possible to head down to the second beach and then walk on the sand past the small headland which breaks up the two beaches to return to the crescent-shaped sand of Balnakeil beach. Balnakeil Craft Village, based in old RAF buildings is worth a visit with a number of interesting shops and two cafes.
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