Loch na Davie circuit, Lochranza

Summary

A surprisingly rough and wild circuit through glens and over passes in the north of the island to reach remote Loch na Davie, reputedly the source of the purest water in Scotland.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Rough bouldery paths, very boggy in places. Starts and ends with a section of quiet road walking.

Public Transport

Bus to Lochranza.

Start

Lochranza Hotel. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.5km / 10.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 294m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR929507

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

This circuit can be started at any point within Lochranza, but this description begins in the Lochranza Hotel carpark. Head south along the quiet road to pass the ruined castle standing proudly on a promontory. Whilst the majority of the visible remains are from the sixteenth century, there has been a castle in this location since the thirteenth. Continue past the youth hostel, field study centre and campsite to reach the new Arran Distillery, built in this location in 1995 on the recommendation of the Geology Department of Glasgow University due to the pure water, proximity to the Gulf Stream and history of quality (illegal) whisky production on the island.

Stage 2

Take the path immediately after the distillery but before a small bridge to follow the crystal clear river through Gleann Easan Biorach. The path quickly becomes rough and bouldery and begins to ascend past scenic waterfalls tumbling through a rocky gorge. The path eventually levels out onto a damp moorland. Progress is hampered by the need to avoid the worst of these patches, and in places the faint path drops into fairly deep tributaries that may necessitate a scramble out at the far side.

Stage 3

The gradient eventually increases and the path becomes rocky (but often wet) underfoot as it heads towards the bealach. The shallow pool of Loch na Davie is soon reached, described as the purest water in Scotland by Glasgow University and a huge factor in Arran Distillery's decision to locate their facility in Lochranza. Keep to the right of the loch and begin an ascent over the shoulder of Beinn Bhreac to reach a further bealach and the descent into Gleann Diomhan. Follow the obvious path on the east side of the burn on a pleasant descent to a deer fence erected to protect rare species of trees from the attention of deer and sheep. The glen is home to the only two examples of Catacol Whitebeam (Sorbus pseudomeinichii) in existence making it the rarest tree in the United Kingdom. A third sapling was reputed to have been eaten by a deer, thoroughly justifying the high fence and minor inconvenience of a pair of kissing gates.

Stage 4

Pass through the gates and follow the good path into Glen Catacol. The rushing water below tumbles over vast slabs of light-coloured granite to become Abhainn Mhòr as the valley opens out below the steep slopes of Creag na h-Iolaire. The path joins another at a cairn before making the final descent out of the hills to the road south of Catacol. Head north along the quiet road and pass the cottages that form the Twelve Apostles - built in the nineteenth century to house crofters displaced by the clearances. Each cottage had a different shaped upper window to allow fisherman to identify signals from their individual cottage from offshore when a lit candle was placed in it.

Stage 5

Pass the Catacol Bay Hotel and continue along the road underneath the moist rugged cliffs dotted with caves and inhabited by nesting seabirds before branching right onto a grassy track. This track runs inland of the road at the foot of the cliffs to reach a mound of rocks with a simple inscribed rock headstone forming The Sailor's Grave - resting place of John McLean who was buried outwith the two neighbouring villages in 1854 for fear of introducing the plague into the populations. It is customary for travellers to add a pebble from the beach to the mound as a form of apology for his exclusion from the village graveyards. Follow the road into Lochranza passing the ferry terminal offering a crossing to Claonaig in Kintyre in the summer months, and Tarbert in the winter. Continue along the road to return to the beginning of the walk.

Route: Phil Turner

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