Cave of Gold, Kilmuir

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The Uamh Òir or Cave of Gold is a secret place, Skye's answer to Fingal's cave on Staffa but in miniature. It gives a delightful short walk and is a great place for a picnic; however the final pathless coastal slope down to the cave is very steep and dangerous, requiring great care.

Terrain

The walk crosses rough croft pasture land; if you really must take a dog it should be kept on a short lead. The descent to see the cave is down an extremely steep grass slope which could be dangerous in the wet.

Public Transport

None to start. Bus 57 from Portree on A855 through Kilmuir - get off at the more northerly road junction for Camas Mòr , 2km walk start.

Start

End of minor public road extending north from near the ruined church at Bornesketaig. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the road signed for Camas Mòr from the A855. The road passes a ruined church; take the turning on the right very shortly after this. There is space to park at the end of the road, near a striking modern house. Begin the walk by continuing briefly in the same direction from the end of the road towards the sea - the initial stretch is made very muddy by cows. As the coast is approached bear left and follow the line of an old fence (watch out for loose wires).

Stage 2

There are great views, both looking along the coastal cliffs to the right, and across the water to the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides. Continue along the coastline to the left. At one point a coastal geo or rocky inlet cuts inland almost to the line of fenceposts. Continue, crossing the remains of an old drystone dyke or wall, to eventually reach a farm gate and adjacent kissing gate.

Stage 3

Pass through the kissing gate and continue along the clifftop and after the coast turns bears left (south) look out for a rusting iron fence post set into a boulder. The descent begins near here, aiming just to the right of the inlet visible below; there is a visible but steep path. The descent can be dangerous particularly if the grass is wet in which case it should be avoided, but otherwise take great care and head down the slope towards the sea here, keeping the crags just to your right. Two thirds of the way down you'll reach a wide rocky platform; follow this to the right.

Stage 4

The cave entrance is visible just round the corner to the right. It is not possible to enter the cave but this is a delightful spot, with perfect hexagonal columns of basalt all around. There are usually lots of shags and other seabirds here, and it is worth keeping an eye out for dolphins and porpoises as well as the currents often bring large shoals of fish. After your rest, return with care back up the grassy slope to the clifftop.

Stage 5

Continue along the coastline above the cliffs, following grassy sheep trods. The scattered houses and crofts of Bornesketaig now come into view behind the great bay of Camas Mòr , whilst just to the left a small grassy knoll with rocky outcrops is topped with the scant remains of Dùn Bornaskitaig, an iron-age broch, a type of circular defensive refuge. Bear left before reaching the broch to cut back inland around the base of the grassy hill on your left, passing part of a tumbledown drystone dyke; there are signs of other buildings in this area, a reminder of the days before the Clearances when Skye had a much bigger population.

Stage 6

Keep bearing left to eventually meet the original route at the kissing-gate you passed through earlier. The return to the start is now back the way you came, with those great coastal views along the way.

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Cave of Gold, Kilmuir

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Terrain

Public Transport

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Users' reports

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