An enchanting short walk on an ancient path to two beautiful coral beaches.
Summary
The walk to the northerly beach follows an excellent path but the path to the southerly beach is very boggy towards the end.
Terrain
Parking at the junction with the minor road to Ard-dhubh from Culdie
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1. Driving south from Applecross to Toscaig, there is parking at the junction with the minor road which turns to the right for Ard-Dhubh. Walk along the Ard-Dhubh road for a short distance until a footpath sign on the left. Follow the wide, well made footpath across the moor. It passes through some attractive birchwoods as it rounds a stream.
2. Beyond, the path reaches a signposted junction; each branch leads to a different coral beach. Take the right hand branch first, signed for 'Ard Ban'. This path soon reaches a picturesque section where it is built up alongside the Poll Domhain bay.
3. Further on it bends left to reach Ard Ban, a collection of three old cottages by a coral beach. The white 'coral' sand is not true coral; it is in fact maerl or calcified seaweed; nonetheless it is fascinating to examine, and this is a beautiful spot.
4. Return to the signpost. Reaching the other beach is a little muddy, so you could just return from here; otherwise, turn right. The path passes through another birchwood and approaches some isolated houses. Turn right well before reaching these, heading down the boggy slope to reach the beach, which is even more attractive than Ard Ban. Back on the path, you can also explore the bay around some abandoned and some renovated cottages, before returning back to the start.
Photo © John Tustin, reproduced with thanks
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