Rueval (Ruabhal), Benbecula

Climb to the highest point on Benbecula for a fantastic 360 degree view of water, islands, beaches and mountains. A steep pull but a straightforward and fairly short walk.

Terrain

Stony track, then moorland path over heather, steep in places but easy to follow.

Public Transport

Bus (W19) at crossroads on A865 near start.

Start

Parking at landfill depot on minor road off A865 in centre of Benbecula. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The starting point for this walk can be found just east of a crossroads on the A865 about a third of the way down the island from the northern causeway. There is a large Western Isles Council building at the turning which is signed for Rueval Footpath. Continue along the track until there is a parking area next to a landfill and recycling centre. Not the prettiest start for a walk, but it quickly improves. Head along the track, soon passing over a cattle grid with a good view of Rueval straight ahead.

Stage 2

Follow the track until it runs right alongside Loch Ba Una with a number of peat cutting areas off to the side. Look out for a faint track on the left, just this side of a small quarry area; it is marked by a tiny cairn. The track soon narrows to become a path climbing over the heathery moorland.

Stage 3

The views soon improve with the mountains of South Uist very clear to the south and the prominent prow of Eaval to the north. Looking east, the Isle of Skye can often be seen and the numerous lochans immediately below on Benbecula. Keep following the path as the trig point comes into view at the summit.

Stage 4

For such a short climb the rewards in terms of the all round views are fabulous. Looking immediately east, Rosinish was the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie set off, disguised as Flora Macdonald's female servant, to row the 24 miles to Skye in 1746. The author Alasdair Alpine Macgregor wrote that from Rueval one could count more than 90 freshwater lochs before you stopped counting, and that seems about right with both fresh and salt water visible in all directions. The return is by the same outward route.

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