Dibidil, from Kinloch

Summary

Dibidil bothy enjoys a fine location at the foot of the glen of the same name, backed by the great peaks of the Rum Cuillin. This out-and-back walk is a simple visit to the bothy and offers superb views of Eigg, and Skye on the return leg.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Clear, rough hill path which is very boggy for much of the way, though a few short sections have been improved. There are several unbridged burn crossings, most especially Dibidil river just before the bothy, which become impassable in spate.

Public Transport

Ferry to Rum.

Start

Kinloch ferry jetty, Isle of Rum. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18km / 11.25 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 687m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM410990

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (0)

Stage 1

Beginning from the Calmac ferry pier, follow the landrover track which curves round the coastline of Loch Scresort. It passes the primary school, the old jetty and then forks; take the left hand branch (signed for vehicles). Continue along it for a further 300m until a path signposted for Dibidil goes off to the left.

Stage 2

Head up this path, which soon climbs above the trees. Ignore an ATV track forking left and continue on the hill path ahead; it is rough and boggy, climbing 200m in a series of zig-zags. There are excellent views back across Kinloch and Loch Scresort as height is gained.

Stage 3

Eventually the path levels off and the going becomes quite good for a time. The route crosses the Allt nah h-Uamha, and there are the first superb views of Eigg off the coast - which remains in view all the way to the bothy. Further on, there are views up to the peaks of Askival and Hallival to the right - linked by a jagged ridge.

Stage 4

Eventually the path descends a couple of wide zig-zags, and fords the Allt nam Ba - which can be tricky in spate (if so, the Dibidil river will certainly be impassable). Beyond this the path cuts across increasingly steep slopes, high above the sea. Eventually it passes to the right of the rounded knoll of Cnoc nan Cuilean and then makes a very boggy descent into the Dibidil Glen.

Stage 5

The bothy can be seen across the valley - fork left from the Papadil path to head down to the Dibidil river, which can be a major obstacle; there is no bridge and it is impassable at times. The bothy is a fairly short walk beyond; it has been maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association since 1970. Please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Stage 6

The return walk is back the same way. It's a long trudge with the boggy going, but the views out to Eigg - and later the Skye Cuillin seen magnificently ahead - are ample recompense on the walk back to Kinloch.

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