A very short walk to visit the site of the Battle of Carinish (1601) and then the ruins of Teampull na Trianaid (Trinity Temple), a 12th century church.
Bog Factor
Track and path.
Parking area by church in Carinish.
Bus from Sollas (W19).
NF820603
The walk starts from a small signed parking area, reached by turning off the A865 at Carinish, and then the parking area is on the right at the start of a lane past the church. To your right is a boggy ditch named named Feith na Fala, or ditch of blood, referring to the battle waged here in 1601, said to have been the last Scottish battle fought with traditional weapons. The dispute arose from the intention of the local Macdonald chief to divorce his wife, a Macleod from Harris. A raiding party of Macleod's set out to avenge the woman, but although the Macdonalds had sought refuge in the nearby church, they were eventually victorious, leaving many Macleods dead or dying in the ditch and thereby giving it its name. Pass the church, but before reaching a house turn left onto a path. Follow a short section of boardwalk and go through a gate (note the lambing dates to keep any dogs on short leads) and head directly towards the ruins.
Teampull na Trianaid dates from the 12th century and is a complex of medieval monastery, church and college. It is thought to have been founded by Beathag, daughter of Somerled and later enlarged between 1350 and 1390 by the wife of the then Lord of the Isles. It was totally reconstructed in the 16th century and destroyed after the reformation although it was later partly restored in the 19th century.
From the surroundings of the ruins there are good views over the watery landscape of North Uist, the freshwater lochans make up about a third of the land mass here, with the numerous seawater inlets making it seem much more watery. Once you have explored the ruins retrace your steps along the path and back to the start.
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