Port na Caranean

Summary

This short walk heads along the southern shores of Loch Scresort from the ferry terminal. The first section through lovely woodland to an otter hide is easy going, but after that the route becomes very rough and overgrown to reach the old, deserted settlement of Port na Caranean.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good path to hide, then very rough and boggy on overgrown old path, difficult to follow.

Getting there

Start

Kinloch ferry jetty, Isle of Rum.

Public Transport

Ferry to Rum.

Start Grid Ref

NM410990

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 2.5km / 1.5 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 66m (Profile)

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Explorer 397 - Rum, Eigg, Muck

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the Calmac Ferry pier. Head along the track, but as it curves round turn left onto a path marked with an otter symbol. This excellent, surfaced path soon passes a memorial to the mountain guidebook writer Irvine Butterfield, who helped restore Dibidil bothy on Rum as well as playing a major role in several other hillwalking and outdoors organisations; on the back of the stone is an inscription of William Blake's words: "Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street".

Stage 2

The path soon leads into Southside Wood, a lovely native woodland. There are some ruined houses in the trees - first on the right side, then off to the left of the path.

Stage 3

The path forks just before the end of the wood - with the left branch leading to the beautiful otter hide overlooking the beach. Continuing the walk from the fork, the route becomes much rougher and the path is hard to follow and boggy in places. It runs through the edge of the trees, very briefly touches the pebbly shore, and then becomes very unclear as it continues through the trees.

Stage 4

Further on the going improves as the scattered trees are left behind and the path crosses moorland, with remains of old boardwalks in a couple of places. Finally the path runs through an old area of heavily coppiced woodland to reach the ruins of Port na Caranean.

Stage 5

There are the remains of 14 buildings here including 6 houses, abandoned when the familes were moved to nearby Kinloch. The land here is very limited for cultivation - it is said that 5 families of crofters had settled here from Bracadale on Skye in 1827. It's a beautiful spot - a great place to watch for otters and seals, with a stunning view out towards the Skye Cuillin. The return walk is back the same way.

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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