Old Herring Path (Meal Path), Corran

Summary

This fabulous but rough coastal walk follows the route of an enchanting but almost forgotten old herring path through some of Scotland's finest scenery.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

The walk follows the line of an old and ingeniously constructed path; today the path is overgrown in parts and gives very rugged going, occasionally above steep drops. The section through the woodland can be tricky to follow.

Getting there

Start

Corran car park.

Public Transport

No public transport to Corran; the nearest service is the infrequent bus service to Arnisdale.

Start Grid Ref

NG849094

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km / 4.75 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 140m (Profile)

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Explorer 413 - Knoydart

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

Corran, at the very end of the scenic drive over the Mam Ratagan pass and through Glenelg and Arnisdale, must be one of the remotest spots in Britain accessible by car; it is a very beautiful and peaceful spot on the shores of the incongruously named Loch Hourn (the Loch of Hell). Park in the hall car park just before the village, and cross the bridge to reach the houses on foot. There is a footpath sign here indicating various routes off to the left, but our way is to turn right, passing the front of the cottages and then their sheds to continue right along the shore of the loch.

Stage 2

The route keeps on the seaward side of the drystone wall to loop right around the field; the wall ends by a house. From here, the way continues along the pebbly shore, passing the shed and swing to continue along the pebbly shore until there is an obvious, good path going up a shallow ravine away from the sea to the left. Go up this path, which soon turns right and runs through the fine oak woodland a short distance above the sea. Pass through a gate. Further on the path descends once more to reach the broad bay Camas na Caillin, with fabulous views both ahead to Knoydart and looking back to Beinn Sgritheall. Keep a look out for otters along here as they can often be seen swimming just offshore.

Stage 3

Before the end of the bay, watch out for where the path cuts across the headland to the left. It soon comes back close to the sea, passing a whole series of pebbly coves with tremendous views across Loch Hourn into Knoydart. The path passes through another gate in a deer fence.

Stage 4

You'll notice sections of the path have been carefully constructed in stone; this path is believed to have been built as a famine relief scheme (hence the local name "meal" as workers would have been paid in oatmeal) and as well as being used by local crofters to move livestock it was also used during the the heyday of the herring boom in the Highlands to provide a link to a number of old salmon bothies. After another broader bay the path crosses a deer fence at a kissing gate; just beyond is a boggy section across another bay.

Stage 5

Beyond here the coast slopes steeply into the loch and the way would be barred by great slabs were it not for the old route. This has been painstakingly constructed and threads a route across the slabs, sometimes with a sheer drop into the sea - a great feat of engineering. Further on, the path goes through a natural gap between two rockwalls before a final descent to a further bay.

Stage 6

The path ends here and the return must be made the same way. Pause a while to admire the view before leaving though; in the foreground are the three tiny islets of Corr Eileanan, whilst at the far end of the bay is the larger Eilean a Garbh-Iain, which can be reached at low tide. Beyond them and across Loch Hourn, the great mountain Ladhar Bheinn towers above Barrisdale Bay.

Stage 7

After enjoying this magical spot, the return walk is back the same way.

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