Dùn Skeig, Clachan

Summary

This walk both encircles and climbs Dùn Skeig, the prominent rocky hill that guards the entrance to West Loch Tarbert. The Dùn is crowned by iron-age remains and is also a superb viewpoint. The walk passes through areas grazed by livestock and has a couple of extremely boggy patches.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Farm tracks, short section of minor road and a short pathless section to the summit. Not all the gates on the walk open and so some may have to be climbed. Return track is completely waterlogged in a couple of places.

Getting there

Start

Clachan.

Public Transport

Clachan is well served by buses between Tarbert and Campbeltown.

Start Grid Ref

NR764560

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 153m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (8)

Stage 1

Clachan is the oldest village in the area and is very attractive with its white cottages and the church crowned by a wooden belfry. The old church is worth a visit too for the fine carved stones in the graveyard. There's parking on the southern road into the village (or a layby on the main road near the turning). Begin the walk by heading up the minor road that climbs to the north. Above the houses follow the road as it swings to the right. After the bend take a track on the left between a stone wall and a fence.

Stage 2

The grassy track climbs between the pastures, soon passing through a gate. Dùn Skeig is visible though not impressive from this side; it is the highest point ahead to the left. When the track begins to descend very slightly towards shrubby woodland leave it to the left via a broken old iron gate; this doesn't open and so must be climbed with care. From here there is no clear path to the top of Dùn Skeig but the way is fairly obvious and any boggy patches can be avoided.

Stage 3

The final part of the climb is a little steeper, leading up to the very well preserved stone-built iron-age dun (or fort). It is worth clambering into the middle of this circular structure to see the best of the surviving stonework. Slightly to the left is a trig point and cairn, and just beyond and below that are the grassy remains of a vitrified fort. Vitrification was a process of heating the stone walls to such a high temperature that they melted and fused; how exactly this was done is a mystery, but the outline of this fort can be clearly seen.

Stage 4

As well as the archaeological remains, Dùn Skeig is also remarkable as a viewpoint. The Paps of Jura, Islay and Gigha are all clearly visible but the gem of the view is West Loch Tarbert, looking serenely beautiful. There is very steep rocky ground on other sides of Dùn Skeig so it is best to return the way you came to the gate and the track. To continue the walk, turn left on the track, which becomes a path and heads through the trees. The path is boggy in places but the wet ground can mostly be avoided; continue ahead to reach a gate.

Stage 5

The grassy field ahead is the grounds of a new house, so follow the marked route to the right, passing around the outside of the perimeter fence. Eventually the path leads back to the track via a gate. Ignore the track to the right and take the main track ahead to reach the end of the public road at Portachoillan. There is a pretty cottage here and a jetty on the loch shores.

Stage 6

The route back on the track round the west side of the hill is waterlogged - you can avoid it if you wish by turning right and returning on the minor road (or retracing your steps). If you decide to brave the wet section, turn left through a gate to follow another track which follows the shoreline below Dùn Skeig. The track passes through another gate and continues along the wooded shores; keep a sharp eye on the water as this is the haunt of otters.

Stage 7

Dùn Skeig looks very impressive high to the left. This area is heavily grazed by cattle and sections of the track are usually waterlogged, requiring minor detours and wet feet. Pass through a gate, and when the track forks take the fainter right branch between two stone gateposts.

Stage 8

A short section of track has collapsed but this can be negotiated with care. The route now leads back to Clachan through idyllic pastures beside the stream. Follow it past the small substation to reach the village through a huge pair of wrought iron gates. The start of the walk is just to the right.

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