The Ringing Stone, Dun Mòr broch and Gott Bay

Summary

This excellent circular walk explores some of Tiree's most interesting features - the cup-marked Ringing Stone on the lonely north coast and the fine broch of Dun Mòr , finishing with a bracing stroll across the island's largest beach at Gott Bay (Tràigh Mhor). Note that the return route is flooded in winter / early spring.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, then largely pathless stretch of coastline, rocky and boggy in places. Return route via track is prone to flooding at Loch Righain (wellies would help). Final stretch on sandy beach.

Public Transport

Tiree has a Ring-n-Ride bus service operating on request; it can be booked between 1 week and 1 hour in advance of your journey, when available.

Start

Grassy parking area on Gott Bay, just W of junction with Vaul road. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10km / 6.25 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 18m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM052474

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Use the marked parking area on the grassy machair by Gott Bay, a short distance west of the junction with the Vaul road. Begin by walking along the road to that junction, then turning left as signed for Vaul. The road crosses the machair, with the golf course off on your right.

Stage 2

After 1km the road reaches the far coast and then turns left. Leave the road here by forking right onto a track that leads along the left side of the beach at Tràigh Bhalla. The track soon climbs slightly to pass through gateposts and then continues across the grass with the sea on your right. Pass a bungalow, and then when the grassy track forks take the right branch. Soon there's another tiny beach, then a perfect grassy greensward with a tiny stone cottage. The obvious flat topped mound on the right here is Dun Beag - little remains of the fort, but it's worth a detour for the superb views.

Stage 3

Continue across the grass, aiming for a gate in a fence. Once through this leave the track and fork right over pathless ground, aiming towards a mound of rock and grass. This is Dun Mòr, Tiree's finest broch. Although not as old as the fort on Dun Beag, it is much better preserved, so it is well worth climbing up to reach it. The parallel walls enclose chambers and a corridor around the open circular centre, still standing to a height of 2m or so. The broch dates back to around 60AD and was built as an emergency refuge against raids; the walls would once have reached 8m in height.

Stage 4

Descend from the broch and continue across the rough ground just back from the coast, passing to the left of tiny Loch na Faing. Another 200m beyond this the route appears to be blocked by a fence, but bear left slightly to use concrete steps set into the wall beside one of the fenceposts which make an easy crossing; there's a marker but it's difficult to spot at first. Beyond is more grassy ground and sandy bays, interspersed with some rougher stretches.

Stage 5

The Ringing Stone is right by the shore, 1.3km after the fence. This prominent boulder has cup-marked indentations thought to have been carved upto 4,500 years ago by the Beaker People. When gently struck with a small stone the boulder makes a remarkable metallic ringing noise - hence the name. Take care not to damage it by too enthusiastic a ringing.

Stage 6

Think carefully before continuing; the return route is flooded for much of the year by Loch Riaghain; wellies help or you can avoid the worst by diverting to walk along old dykes. If you really don't want wet feet it may be best to retrace steps from here unless it's a dry summer spell. If you decide to complete the full circuit, continue until you reach a fence and then follow this to the left. Eventually a grassy track is reached which heads inland to the left; follow this.

Stage 7

The track passes several smaller lochs before it reaches Loch Riaghain, where it bends to the right of the loch. This is the stretch prone to flooding. If you can't paddle the track it may be possible to keep drier by diverting to the right, aiming for an old grassy dyke. Regain the track beyond the flood and continue to Gott Farm. Here you can pick up a tarmac track that leads back to the B8069.

Stage 8

Turn left along the road. After 300m it becomes possible to head down onto the sandy beach at Gott Bay - Tràigh Mhòr - and to walk along this all the way back to the start. The beach has views across to Ben More on Mull and makes a fine end to an excellent walk (if your feet aren't too wet!)

Route Profile

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