An Aird, Braes

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The An Aird peninsula is beautifully situated and has excellent coastal scenery itself, making a delightful short walk.

Terrain

Good path to the beach; the peninsula beyond is pathless and boggy in places but gives generally good going.

Public Transport

Bus number 59 has a daily service, two on Fridays. Get off at the Balmeanach turning from the main Braes road, one kilometre from walk start.

Start

Parking along the roadside, Gedintailor/Balmeanach. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Heading south down the Braes road, take the turning on the left signed for Balmeanach. Seven hundred metres later, there is a red postbox on the left side of the road. Park carefully on the grass verges along this stretch of road, taking care not to block passing spaces. Take the path off left here, which has recently been reconstructed across the once boggy flats before it descends the steep grass bank beyond, passing a bench.

Stage 2

The path ends at the pebble beach, with the An Aird peninsula visible straight ahead. Continue round the beach, which has a good sandy stretch at the far end. This is a beautiful spot. At the end of the beach, head round the coast on grassy ground, passing left of a tiny loch, and continue on boggier ground above a low line of broken cliffs.

Stage 3

The northern end of An Aird is soon reached, crowned by Dunan an Aisilidh, an ancient fort. Only scattered stones remain, but the view of Ben Tianavaig rising in great tiers to the north, and of the Isle of Raasay to the east are magnificent. Seals can often be seen in the straits between here and Raasay; if you are lucky you might even spot dolphins or porpoise.

Stage 4

Continue the walk by heading along the east coast of the peninsula. This has small but impressive and intricate cliff scenery - it's worth peering down where safe. The best section is at the far end of the peninsula, where there are a couple of natural arches, sea caves and a great blow hole. Take care when exploring near the cliff edges.

Stage 5

Eventually the coast curves back round to the west, with Glamaig looking impressive across the water, to return to the narrow neck of land connecting An Aird with the Braes. Cross this grassy neck to the sandy beach visited earlier, and return to the start by the outward path.

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