Beinn Airein via Gallanach

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Straightforward climb to the highest point on Muck after crossing the island to the beautiful beach at Gallanach. Optional cross country route back requires good navigation. Crosses grazing land so dogs must be under very tight control or not taken at all.

Terrain

Minor road, path, then pathless moorland and fields, navigation skills and map needed.

Public Transport

Calmac ferry to Muck from Mallaig; additional ferry service from Arisaig run by Bruce Watt.

Start

Port Mòr ferry jetty. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Walking onto Muck from the ferry terminal, turn left along the track. This leads through the island's main settlement, Port Mòr , with several houses. Pass the old ferry pier, the Green Shed gift shop and the island's cafe (if you can resist the cakes) - the latter is a stone building with picnic tables outside. Keep along the road, ignoring the turning for the hotel.

Stage 2

The route crosses easily to the north side of the island, with superb views towards the mountains on Rum; note the yurt over in a field to the right. Pass the stunning beaches at Gallanach and the farmhouse, keeping on the shore side to pass the farm buildings. After the last building on the left and the green shed, turn left (opposite the path to Gallanach Cottage) to go through a small metal gate, then climb gently.

Stage 3

Follow the faint tractor tracks bearing right and then left to aim south towards Beinn Airein which can be seen ahead. Aim for the corner of a field where you go through the gate ahead with a sign on it about the newly planted native trees. Walk ahead and then bear slightly right following a faint grassy track and go through another farm gate as the route climbs. Keep ahead with the fence on your right eventually going through a gap in the fence to climb the much craggier ground to reach the summit of Beinn Airein where there is a round trig point and stunning views in all directions.

Stage 4

The quickest way back is to follow the outward route, this description however follows an almost direct cross-country route back to Port Mòr . From the summit head east, down a sheep-path through a break in the crags to reach the grassy pasture below. A gap in a fence leads into the next field; descend until a small gate in the next fence leads to the grassy area behind the bay of Camas Mòr which is worth exploring as a detour. Instead of heading towards the sea follow the fence east across the flat ground (crossing a drainage ditch part way) to climb the steep ground on the far side of the bay.

Stage 5

Pass a small copse on your left and as you round the edge of a mound on your right a stone sheep fank is reached. Just to the right is a gate in the stone wall, go through this and aim diagonally right across the field to the south end of a small lochan from where you continue in the same direction to reach a gate at the field corner. Go through this and follow the tractor tracks uphill to the left. When the tracks soon split, fork right and aim towards the coast to go through a farm gate. Once through this turn left keeping the fence on your left and aim directly east.

Stage 6

Either directly cross the small valley with the ruined settlement and trees near the sea, or if it is boggy follow the path which heads inland to curve around the head of the dip to pick up a vague path. This aims left at the remains of a stone wall to keep heading east. Soon a new house comes into view ahead on the left with a stunning view of Eigg beyond. Drop down to join the track and turn right downhill onto it and follow it as it curves left to soon join the entrance drive of the hotel. When the road is reached turn right to return past the cafe to the ferry pier at Port Mòr .

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Beinn Airein via Gallanach

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Terrain

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