Port Ramsay Circuit (Lismore)

Summary

This excellent walk explores the northern part of the Isle of Lismore and gives a real flavour of the island as well as having wonderful views. It visits the picturesque and unspoilt tiny village of Port Ramsay. As with all walks on croft land, dogs must be under tight control; there is little room between cliffs and sea on this walk and dogs are likely to scare sheep into falling into the sea.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Faint coastal path then minor road

Public Transport

Bus to Port Appin; Ferry to Point on Lismore.

Start

Point (Pier for Port Appin ferry). Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.75km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 59m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM894461

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the ferry pier at Point, at the northern end of Lismore, easily reached by the passenger ferry from Port Appin. Begin the walk by heading to the right from the slipway, crossing the grass beside the pebbly beach and ascending slightly to continue round the coastline above the low rocks that drop to the sea. The faint grassy path passes a section of drystone dyking (wall) and then reaches a stile in a fence. There are stunning views across the water, whether to the Morvern and Ardnamurchan peninsulas, or towards Ben Nevis directly up the loch.

Stage 2

Continue round the coast on a grassy shelf running beneath low cliffs, high above the water. The path soon crosses another stile to reach Port Ainnean, a pebbly bay. Pass round the bay but as the coastline starts to become craggy once more bear diagonally left up a grassy slope towards a gap in a drystone dyke - look for the marker post.

Stage 3

Pass through the gap in the wall and continue ahead, keeping an eye out for another marker post, to reach a gap in a second boundary (once a wall, now mostly a grassy mound), between two fenceposts. Once passing between these turn right and follow the coastline above the low cliffs. Eventually this slopes down and a track coming in from the left is joined.

Stage 4

Turn right and follow the track down to the sea, turning left through the gate once close by the shore. Note the old lime kiln, another sign of the limestone rock; lime is perfect for neutralising the acid peat soils of other parts of the Highlands and Lismore once produced great quantities of it. Continue along the shore track to Port Ramsay - a beautiful group of terraced white-washed cottages and as peaceful a settlement as one could imagine. The village dates back to around 1800 to provide homes for those working in the lime and fishing industries.

Stage 5

Once the telephone box is reached turn left and follow the tarmac road behind the back of the cottages. This minor road leads across the island to the opposite coast, where is meets the road linking Portnacroish with Point. Turn left here and continue along the coast road, with great views across towards Port Appin and Clach Thoul, a rock arch on the mainland. After almost two kilometres the road leads back to Point and the ferry pier.

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