Coall Head and Fladdabister Loch, Fladdabister

Summary

This varied walk starts with a rough moorland section visiting a freshwater loch and then descends to the coast via a whole series of ruined mills. It climbs up to the fine viewpoint Coall Head atop the cliffs before following the rugged coastline to Fladdabister.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Some very boggy and tussocky going across grassy moorland.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Signpost at HU 432 328, 250m down the northern access road to Fladdabister from the A970.

Public Transport

Bus to Fladdabister road end near start.

Start Grid Ref

HU432328

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 128m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Access Point sign near the northern end of Fladdabister, just a short distance east of the A970; there is space to park a car carefully without blocking the gate. Begin the walk by going through the gate and following the track that heads sharply left (ignore the muddier track to the wind turbine).

Stage 2

After around 250m, look out for the very faint remains of a grassy track forking off to the right. This soon becomes boggy underfoot and begins to peter out. Leave it and aim northwards across the wet grass to the right of some ruined buildings and planticrubs (circular stone walls once used to grow kale) to reach the shores of Loch Fladdabister at a walkers marker post. Turn right here alongside the southern edge of the loch, then turn north, following the loch shores at the corner.

Stage 3

Keep north when the lochshores cut back west, crossing some very boggy ground and reaching some tumbledown stone ruins by the Mill Burn. The stone enclosure seen to the north on Douri was once the site of a chapel. Now follow the line of the mill burn eastwards towards the coastline. It leads past the stone ruins of several old watermills - note the millstones in some of them.

Stage 4

Before reaching the coast it is worth cutting off left uphill to detour to the summit of Coull Head, marked by a trig point. From here there are great views along the cliffs both north and south.

Stage 5

Descend to where the Mill Burn reaches the bay and continue up the grassy ground alongside the coastal cliffs beyond. Climb to pass around the back of the dramatic Leea Geo, with good views back to Coull Head.

Stage 6

The route now descends above the coastline to reach an oddly-placed marker post. Carry along the coast until you reach a post and wire fence and old stone wall. From here follow the fence inland and uphill until you reach a self-closing gate. Go through this and follow waymarks along the old track south passing through several several-closing gates towards Brenya, an old derelict settlement.

Stage 7

Once at Brenya you can follow a short track inland through the remains of the old settlement back to the road and walk north up the road back to the start point. Alternatively, continue following the waymarked route through self- closing gates and finally a stile to the remains of Fladdabister Lime Kilns and shingly beach. From here head inland towards the timber footbridge and follow the burn side path back up to the road and then back to your start point.

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