Castle Tioram and the Silver Walk circuit

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The Silver Walk is one of the truly special paths of the Highlands, a fascinating route cut out of the rock through truly spectacular scenery. Add in stunning Castle Tioram, a deserted hamlet, pine-fringed hill lochs and a view out to the Isles, and you have a stone-cold classic half-day walk - surely one of Scotland's finest.

Terrain

Silver Path coastal section is very rocky; one section is impassable at very high tides. The following section over the hill is rough and boggy.

Public Transport

None.

Start

End of public road at Diorlinn by Castle Tioram. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the minor road to Doirlinn and Castle Tioram; the walk begins from the car park at the end. Begin the walk by following the track (continuation of the road) round the shore, passing through a gate to the sandy beach. The dramatic ruins of Castle Tioram are just offshore to the left; except at high tide, it can be visited by walking across to it on a sandy bar (but keep an eye out for the tide!). The Castle is thought to date from the thirteenth century and was home to the MacRuaris, one of the main branches of the descendants of Somerled, the original Lord of the Isles who first united the Western Highlands and the Hebrides. According to local tradition the castle was built by Amy MacRuari but it is likely she improved an existing structure.

Stage 2

The castle is one of the most historically significant castles in the Highlands, as well as being perhaps the most beautiful. Recently landowner came up with a plan to 'restore' the castle as his private house; following a public enquiry this plan was rejected and it remains as a haunting ruin. Parts of the castle walls collapsed in the early 1990s but the damage has mostly now been stabilised. A wooden post on the idyllic grassy sward just beyond the sand bar marks the start of the 'Silver Walk' - an estate path built in the late nineteenth century, so named due to the discovery of a hoard of Elizabethan coins during its construction. Follow this remarkable path which traverses the vertiginous coastline through the stunningly beautiful woodlands. There are great views back to Castle Tioram.

Stage 3

The path clambers up and down rocky steps and over boulders, soon passing through a cast iron gate. Further on are a couple of sections where the path is cut out of the rocky cliffs that fall sheer to the sea; iron posts mark where once there was a protective railing.

Stage 4

The path becomes rougher but is stunningly beautiful. It descends to the level of the loch and crosses some blocks of stones to keep the route above the level of the tide, before climbing up once more. The views across the Loch to the Scots pine-clad island - Eilean an Feidh, with the larger, inhabited Eilean Shona beyond, are constantly changing, and the path itself is fascinating.

Stage 5

Continue along the path as it passes round the back of a bay, and a little further on a cairn marks a clear path off to the right. Follow this uphill to the right through the bracken; it can be boggy in places, though the route is clear. The path reaches a deserted hamlet, with great views back over Loch Moidart. Continue uphill, bearing left slightly to join another path coming up from further along the Silver Path; bear right to contine uphill.

Stage 6

The path climbs across the moor for some distance, passing a large cairn and then a smaller one before finally beginning to descend. A number of small lochans come into view ahead, fringed by pines and firs; the path joins a larger one and continues downhill to reach the first lochan.

Stage 7

Continue round the right hand side of the water to a path junction by a large tree. Rather than continue round the loch, go straight ahead here uphill on a broader path. This climbs briefly before descending to another, narrower lochan, dammed at the far end with a view of the sea beyond. The path contours round to the right of the lochan to reach the dam.

Stage 8

From, the path keeps to the right of a small pipeline downhill into a ravine, before crossing the stream and continuing downhill. There are fantastic views ahead of the sea with Eigg, Muck and Coll all visible in clear weather. Continue on the now delightful path downhill through the woods.

Stage 9

Eventually the path passes to the left of a wooden house, and reaches the road just beyond. Turn left along the road briefly, then right down a track that leads to a private road along the beautiful shore. Turn right, following this road back to the start.

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