The Silver Sands of Morar are a celebrated series of beautiful sandy beaches which pepper the coastline from Arisaig to Morar. Most are easily accessible from the roadside but this walk visits one of the least frequented beaches, crossing some rough and wet ground on the way.
Very boggy underfoot
Bus or train to Morar.
Morar village centre (train station).
The Silver Sands of Morar, made famous through countless calendars, were the setting for the beach scenes in the classic film 'Local Hero'. They are a whole series of beaches lying to the west of the old road between Arisaig and Morar. Most of the beaches are just a stones throw from the roadside; this walk visits Bourbach and Sgeir Mhòr beaches which are more hidden and secluded. The walk begins from Morar itself. Head north along the old road through the village (now happily bypassed by the new A830 bypass). The road curves round to the left at the north end of the village to meet up with the new A830. Just before this, take a path off to the left which passes through an underpass beneath this road.
As you emerge from the underpass there is a gate and a sign indicating this is the pedestrian access to the beach. Follow the track straight ahead along the coast, reaching a pair of bungalows. Turn off this track to the left between these two bungalows, crossing a footbridge. Pass to the right of a caravan and then left of an old black house, keeping close to the shore. The path is a little unclear at first and soon becomes very boggy; there are some wooden planks in the worst bits of mud.
Continue along the path by the shore. As it rounds the corner it reaches Bourblach beach. This fine, quiet stretch of sand looks southeast across to the other Morar beaches, and is sheltered from the westerlies by a little headland.
Beyond Bourblach beach there is an obvious steep path which climbs up the sand dunes. Rather than struggling up this, take the better path round to the left that avoids the dunes and won't cause erosion, or another grassy path to the right of the dunes. Just beyond is the larger Sgeir Dubh (Black Rock) beach. This is open to the west and so less sheltered, but on a fine day has a wonderful outlook to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rum.
The return to Morar is made the same way.
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