Lowlandman's Bay, Ardfernal

Summary

This straightforward walk follows a long track round above Lowlandman's Bay, frequented by seals, to reach a jetty on the Rubha an Leim peninsula - a beautiful spot. The return is back the same way, or by a much rougher route along the shore initially (the walk grade and bog factor assumes the track is walked in both directions).

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good track throughout; the alternative optional return is along a rough and in places wet shoreline, with a final pathless stretch through tussocky bracken and bog.

Getting there

Start

Burnside, on minor road to Ardfernal.

Public Transport

None to the start; infrequent Jura bus service runs from Feolin Ferry to as far north as Ardlussa.

Start Grid Ref

NR554717

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.25km / 5.75 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 115m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Take the Ardfernal turning from the A846; there is a signpost indicating the start of the walk 'Lowlandman's Bay' from the group of houses at Burnside, and there is space to park a short distance further along the road. Begin along the track signed for the bay, passing the smartly modernised houses of Burnside; fork left by the whitewashed cottage.

Stage 2

The track heads northeast at first, turning north after a gate. Ignore the track branching right (for the Old Schoolhouse) and keep ahead. The Paps of Jura are seen to the west, whilst Lowlandman's Bay and the sheltering Rubha an Leim peninsula are now in view to the east.

Stage 3

The track heads through a gate where it crosses the wooded course of the Abhainn a' Gharbha-achaidh. Soon after this turn right onto a rougher track that cuts out the loop to Armenish, rejoining the main track towards the back of Lowlandman's Bay.

Stage 4

Pass through a gate, remaining on the main track as it swings southeast. Over to the left can be seen the rocky knoll of An Dunan - the site of an iron age fort. The track continues to reach the Lighthouses, a large house and a much smaller one which once housed the keepers for the lighthouse out on the skerry at Skervuile to the southeast.

Stage 5

The track then leads on to a boathouse and a jetty which projects out into the bay. This is an idyllic spot; seals bask on the rocks in the bay, whereas oystercatchers roam amongst the kelp and rocks; though more elusive, otters can also be seen here. The peninsula is part of the same fault line that has formed the line of the Small Isles across the bay at Craighouse.

Stage 6

The easiest return is to retrace your steps. Unless the tide is high, a much more rugged return route is to attempt to follow the shoreline back round the head of the bay until the outflow of the Abhainn a' Gharbh-achaidh.This area is important for livestock and so is best avoided if you have a dog. From the outflow of the burn an even rougher section of walk through pathless bog, tussocks and bracken leads back to the track, which is then rejoined for the rest of the walk back to the start.

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