Dun Skeig, Clachan

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This excellent walk both encircles and climbs Dun Skeig, the prominent rocky hill that guards the entrance to West Loch Tarbert. The Dun is crowned by iron-age remains and is also a superb viewpoint.

Terrain

Farm tracks, short section of minor road and a short pathless section to the summit.

Public Transport

Clachan is well served by buses between Tarbert and Campbeltown.

Start

Clachan. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 3.75/5

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 179m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR764560

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

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. Park near the phonebox and 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. Dun 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. From here there is no clear path to the top of Dun 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, Dun 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 Dun Skeig so it is best to return the way you came to the gate and the track. To continue the walk, turn left and follow the track as it soon 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 and enter a grassy field.

Stage 5

Continue down the field. A new house has been built on the line of the original track, and the route now heads off to the right beside a fence and woods, before heading back to the track beyond the house. Continue down to a gate giving access to the end of the public road at Portachoillan. There is a pretty cottage here and a jetty on the loch shores. Turn left through a gate to follow another track which follows the shoreline below Dun 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. Dun Skeig looks very impressive high to the left.

Stage 6

The track passes to the left of a large brick barn and then passes through another gate close by a wooden chalet. Dun Skeig Bay can be accessed by turning right just before this gate; otherwise continue along the track. At a fork, head right between two stone gateposts. The track 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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