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Urie Loch, near Lamlash

A testing, steep walk to visit remote Urie Loch, set in quiet moorland.

Terrain

Earth/mud footpaths, particularly muddy in places. Very short rocky/scrambly section.

Public Transport

None to start - nearest bus Lamlash 2km from start.

Start

Dyemill carpark (off the Ross road). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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There are 5 user reports for this walk - click to read them.

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Currently 3.00/52

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 400m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS014297

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Head across the bridge and almost immediately turn right to access a well-made footpath through the trees signposted 'Urie Loch'. Cross the next footbridge and continue along the path as it shadows the fast-flowing burn. Ignore the next footbridge on the left for now, and head uphill past a small bench. The path runs uphill through clear-felled forest for some distance with the views over Lamlash and Holy Isle improving as the path ascends.

Stage 2

The path eventually re-enters the dark forest and becomes moist underfoot. Thankfully this is a popular route so the deep footprints highlighting the misfortunes of others indicate the routes to avoid. The wide forest ride becomes steeper until levelling out at a series of clearings - a welcome break from both the relentless gradient and darkness of the forest canopy.

Stage 3

Eventually the forest ride runs out at the 300m contour beneath the oppressive Creag na h-Ennie, and the path takes a less direct route contouring left to avoid the steep hillside. Remaining above the treeline there is a very short rocky scramble before the path reaches the heather-clad moorland. A white marker post indicates the correct route onwards (though the path is fairly obvious) so follow this to reach the summit of The Urie at 425m with Urie Loch below at the end of a narrow wet path.

Stage 4

The small grass-covered island in the loch is in fact man-made to encourage red-throated divers to nest - if the weather is pleasant a rocky outcrop provides a great location to rest and observe the wildlife. Return by the same route until the footbridge by the bench is reached. Cross this and take the left path fork to follow the burn downhill towards the carpark.

Route: Phil Turner

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