Breachacha Castles and Ben Feall

Summary

This short loop amongst the machair of western Coll ascends little Ben Feall for superb views across the bay before looping past the two Breachacha Castles - the Medieval and Georgian homes of the Macleans of Coll.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly faint grassy tracks across machair. Short ascent to Ben Feall and one boggy section.

Getting there

Start

Parking area at western end of public road on Coll.

Public Transport

None to start; route passes through Arileod which is an 8km cycle or walk from Arinagour.

Start Grid Ref

NM151538

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.25km / 4 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 70m (Profile)

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Explorer 372 - Coll & Tiree

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the RSPB parking area on the machair at the western end of the public road; or if walking from Arinagour the route can be picked up at Arileod on the central circuit. Begin by following the grassy track to the right, with grassy dunes away to your left and a fence over to your right. Much of the land crossed by this walk is owned by the RSPB, and is home to barnacle and white-fronted geese in the winter, lapwing, redshanks and snipe in spring as well as the rare corncrake in the summer - incredibly difficult to spot though its rasping call can often be heard. Note a gate in the fence on your right but ignore it for now, and take the grassy track that heads up onto the slopes of Ben Feall - soon with great views across the bay to the west.

Stage 2

Though only 66m high, Ben Feall is one of the finest viewpoints on Coll, the view taking in Feall Bay to the west, a rocky sweep of coastline to the east, and the Breachacha Castles which are visited later in the walk. Just below the summit is Kenneth's Seat - a memorial to the 'Last Laird of Coll' who died in 2012. The eastern slopes are rocky, so instead retrace your steps back down the grassy track until the gate in the fence noted in the previous stage.

Stage 3

Go through this gate and the one adjacent to it on the left before following a faint grassy track that leads out towards the tiny bay of Port an t-Saoir. The track swings right before reaching the bay, but it's worth making a brief detour to see the sands before returning to the track. The track becomes clearer, soon leading through a gate, and later passing a house before finally reaching the road at Arileod. Turn right here along the road, following it around a bend to the right.

Stage 4

After passing a house on your left and then crossing a cattle grid turn left onto a hard track that follows a line of telegraph poles southwards. There are good views of the 'new' Breachacha Castle over to the left - this impressive Georgian pile dates from the 1750s and was home to the Macleans of Coll, superceding the older fifteenth century tower house which is seen further on. At a junction you can detour to visit both castles more closely, passing to the right of the Georgian pile.

Stage 5

When the medieval castle is reached you can detour to the right to visit the lovely sandy beach. Both castles are private residences so please respect the privacy of those living there. Return to the main track and continue very briefly along it towards the old stable cottages. Here turn right towards a gate, passing through it to gain a rough, grassy track. This soon leads back - via further gates - to the parking area on the machair at the start of the walk.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree Hotels

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree B&B

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree cottages

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree hostels

Glamping and Camping

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