Caisteal Maol and Kyleakin

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This short but interesting walk explores the village of Kyleakin and its environs - including the Skye Bridge and a ruined castle.

Terrain

Short easy walk; optional visit to Caisteal Maol is rocky underfoot and may not be possible at high-tide. Tide Times available Mar - Oct on Community Council Noticeboard in car park.

Public Transport

Buses to Kyleakin from Portree and Broadford.

Start

Kyleakin village car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the large car park opposite the village green in the centre of Kyleakin - it is possible to check the tide times on the notice board between March and October - at very high tides a rough detour needs to be taken. The walk begins by continuing along the road towards the pier at the end of the village. After passing King Haakon's Bar, there's an optional detour onto a fenced path on the left. This leads up, via steps, to Kyleakin's War Memorial atop the low hill known as An Cnap - a great viewpoint. Return back down the steps to the road, and head left along it towards the old ferry pier.

Stage 2

Retrace your steps briefly and then turn left to continue alongside the habour / river until you reach a bridge across the river to South Obbe. Cross the bridge and follow the road to the left until it ends at a pier.

Stage 3

A path begins here which leads around the coast towards Caisteal Maol. It emerges onto the beach at a large boathouse. The route continues round to the castle on the rocky shoreline; at low tide this is simple enough but at high tide some very rough detours inland may be necessary. Below the Castle, a clear path ascends to the ruins, passing a bench.

Stage 4

Caisteal Maol (often anglicised to Castle Moil) was the ancestral seat of the Clan MacKinnon. According to Legend it was built by 'Saucy' Mary, a Norwegian princess who married a MacKinnon. The MacKinnons supported themselves by exacting a toll from ships passing through the straits. The castle is thought to date from the late fifteenth century and is still today a commanding viewpoint over the straits, and also back over Kyleakin. Return by the same route to the bridge in Kyleakin.

Stage 5

Once back across this bridge, this time turn immediately left to follow the pebbly river banks and later a grassy path upstream. This leads into an area of tidal salt marsh known as the Obb, with many pink thrift flowers in summer; there are often many herons to be seen. The path soon bends right, passing where the river emerges from a pond, and passes between the new Kyleakin village hall and the primary school (ignore a footpath off right here) to follow a tarmac road to emerge at the main road.

Stage 6

Continue on a narrow path directly opposite to reach a telescope and some benches down by the coast. Just to the right of the Skye Bridge is Eilean Ban, the white island, the cottage on which was the last home of the famous wildlife writer Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring of Bright Water. The cottage is now a museum of Gavin Maxwell's effects; guided tours are available if pre-booked through the Eilean Ban Trust.

Stage 7

Turn right on the path just above the beach. Before arriving back at the start, there is a small wildlife garden down to the left with a pond and open hide - a possible place to spot otters as well as herons and other birds.

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Caisteal Maol and Kyleakin

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