Smirisary village and beach from Glen Uig

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A varied walk with good coastal views and the opportunity to explore the part-restored and roadless village of Smirisary and on to the beautiful white beach opposite Eilean Coille and other small islands.

Terrain

Clear track and path to old village of Smirisary and then rough, and sometimes boggy, path to the beach.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Take the minor road from the A861 passed the Glen Uig Inn and follow the sign for Smirisary. Parking at the end of the road. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 3.57/57

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start at a parking area just before the end of the Smirisary road. Continue briefly along to the road end and turn right through a gate, signposted as the Smirisary footpath. After a dip the track bears left and then climbs past a house on the right. Here the route continues ahead as a path heading uphill into the trees.

Stage 2

Keep next to a fence before passing through another farm gate with a sign to keep dogs under control. Soon a fork in the path is reached where there are good open views of the sea ahead. Turn left here (signed for White Sands), following a sometimes muddy path through shrubby undergrowth. The path soon becomes paved and passes through a copse of silver birch trees before emerging at the first two restored houses of Smirisary. The houses are used as holiday homes. Cross the grassy area diagonally to pick up a boardwalk path towards a white cottage in the far corner.

Stage 3

Soon as sign indicates the path for the sand beach off to the left. You can either head up boggy ground, or along the crest of a low rocky ridge; either way, reach and pass to the right of a ruined house. Follow the rough path, dodging boggy areas at times. In a very boggy area the path bears right towards the sea, then back left, crossing the head of a ravine.

Stage 4

The path now continues, with good views out to sea. After approximately 1 kilometre, the path descends to the beach which can be explored at all tides.

Stage 5

As you approach the beach the steep peak of Sgùrr an Teintein on Eilean Shona is prominent, whilst Eigg can be seen out to sea on a clear day. There are actually several sandy beaches facing in different directions, all linked by perfect greensward.

Stage 6

Retrace your steps to Smirisary, returning to the grassy sward by the same boardwalk path. Once on the grassy area cross to the far side and bear left towards another white cottage. The path passes behind this house and then gently climbs uphill, eventually reaching another cottage.

Stage 7

Pass to the left of the final house with the front sun porch, then turn to the right to go up behind this house. A faint path passes the water tank for the cottage. Head up through the woods and bear right to reach a stony path, then turn left along this, climbing to reach a fence. Keep to the right of the fence and in a short distance you will join the outward route. Keep straight ahead and pass through the farm gate to return to to the road and the parking area.

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