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Dùn Fiadhairt, near Dunvegan

Summary

A short walk onto the little visited Fiadhairt peninsula, visiting the remains of an iron-age broch.

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Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Grassy croftland and rougher moorland; paths unclear. As the route crosses working croftland with livestock - both sheep and cattle - it is best to leave your dogs at home.

Getting there

Start

Just before causeway between lochs on the Claigan minor road.

Public Transport

None to start. Nearest bus Dunvegan castle - walk 2km along Claigan road to start.

Start Grid Ref

NG240507

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.25km / 2 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 87m (Profile)

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Explorer 407 - Dunvegan

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

WARNING

We have a report that the roadside parking is currently blocked off with new signs. This makes access difficult unless walking from the parking near Dunvegan Castle.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

Park on the Claigan road two kilometres beyond Dunvegan Castle (or walk from the castle); the best place was on the right hand side just before the road crosses a causeway between two small, reedy lochs - take care not to block vehicle access to the gateway. Walk across the causeway, turning left immediately afterwards on a track, leading to a gate and stile. Beyond are two small, grassy hills - follow the grassy ground to pass between them. As Loch Dunvegan comes into view, with Dunvegan castle prominent over to the left, follow a clear sheep path round the hill to the right. This soon joins an ATV track - fork left left down towards the narrow neck of land at An Dubh-Aird, where seaweed filled inlets almost meet.

Stage 2

Cross the neck, and follow a rough track up the hill beyond. The route soon reaches a flat, tussocky area, with te ruins of Dùn Fiadhairt visible ahead on a mound. Continue to reach it. Dùn Fiadhairt is an iron-age broch or defensive refuge and is one of the best preserved on Skye, with surviving lintel stones and passageways between the walls.

Stage 3

The whole peninsula is very rough going, but its southern shores are much favoured by the Dunvegan common seal colony and can be visited by a detour. The seals can often be seen basking on the rocks either on the shore or just out in the sea. If heading to see them, approach quietly, taking care not to disturb the seals - if they move you are far too close. There are usually many of them swimming in the water; where the seals are much more confident and often swim quite close, seemingly as inquisitive as their human visitors. The return is by the same route. Once across the narrow neck of land, the track contouring the hill round to the left can be followed back to the start to give some variation.

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