Skye Trail 6: Elgol to Torrin

Summary

The sixth stage of the Skye Trail presents a lovely, slightly easier day with great views to Sleat and the Small Isles, ending at Torrin where there is a seasonal cafe and bunkhouse. Short road section between Kirkibost and Keppoch then a very boggy path to the Blà Bheinn car park where there are toilets, before a final longer road section around the head of Loch Slapin to Torrin.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths (very boggy near Keppoch), track and minor road. Livestock on route, dogs must be kept under tight control.

Getting there

Start

Elgol.

Public Transport

Bus 49 from Broadford to Elgol and Torrin.

Start Grid Ref

NG518135

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Services

Elgol has a nearby hotel, B&Bs, public toilets, cafe, and 2 restaurants. Torrin has a seasonal bunkhouse, cafe and food truck.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.1km / 10 miles
Time: 5.5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 380m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From Elgol take the road for Glasnakille and pass the cafe and community hall. The road climbs over the peninsula, giving good views of the Isles of Eigg and Rum. It begins to descend again from a wireless transmitter mast, until it reaches a 'T' junction with another minor road at Glasnakille.

Stage 2

The Spar Cave can be visited from here, but only if you've timed things to perfection for the tides. Instead, turn left along the minor road. It passes several whitewashed croft houses with fine views across to Sleat and the mountains of Knoydart beyond. The road ends at a gate and continues as a grassy track, and heads into woodland. This area is very sheltered for Skye and the woods are full of primroses, wood anemone and other wildflowers in the spring, as well as many birds.

Stage 3

Once past a house the track becomes a tarmac road once more and passes some more houses. As the road swings left up the hill, continue on slightly downhill on another track. Keep on the track towards a whitewashed house, but just before reaching its garden, a stone marker indicates a path leads off to the right. This continues round the coast until emerging on another minor road near some cottages.

Stage 4

Continue along the road, soon heading inland and passing Kilmarie House, once the home of Iain Anderson from the 60's band Jethro Tull. The minor road leads beside a stream and through the woodland, soon reaching the B8083 at Kirkibost. Turn right and follow the road for 1.2km. Just after passing a small cottage on the right go through a gate on the left opposite a passing place. Head uphill on the boggy path keeping the fence on your right until the ruins of Keppoch are reached at the top. Here you can go through the gate on the right at the end of the fence to explore the ruins.

Stage 5

This village, known as Ceapach in Gaelic, was forcibly cleared of its 44 families in 1852 - many being forced to board a ship for Australia. From the gate continue ahead following the faint path over open ground - some new native trees have been planted here. The path curves right to cross a stream and climbs again to continue in the same direction. The path improves as it heads downhill, go through a kissing gate in a fence. There are good views of the Red Hills and Torrin across Loch Slapin.

Stage 6

Eventually the path descends through trees and crosses a bridge. Turn left for the toilets in the JMT car park for Blà Bheinn. Otherwise turn right to reach the main road and head left to follow the road all the way to Torrin. The head of Loch Slapin is picturesque and is dominated by Beinn na Cro until you reach the far side and look back at the craggy form of Blà Bheinn (Blaven). If wild camping this section presents the best opportunities before you reach Torrin. The tidal area is also a good place to spot wading birds and the occasional otter. Torrin has a bunkhouse and seasonal cafe. The bus from Elgol passes through here on the way to Broadford.

Next stage: Torrin to Broadford

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