This walk climbs through woods to head under an escarpment to reach the remains of a village forcibly abandoned during the Highland Clearnances. Excellent views of Blà Bheinn, and the coast across Loch Slapin. Very wet underfoot, waterproof boots or wellies recommended.
Path, faint and very boggy in places.
Bus from Broadford.
Blà Bheinn car park off B8083 road near Loch Slapin.
The car park is opposite Torrin on the far side of Loch Slapin and has a green sign. It is also the parking for the ascent of Blà Bheinn - there are toilets provided by the John Muir Trust. From the parking area head back down towards the road, just before the cattle grid take the path on the right and cross the footbridge and then head steeply uphill on a track through trees. This land is now part of a large estate owned by the conservation charity the John Muir Trust. The Trust is currently slowly changing the conifer plantations here so that they will support a wider range of trees and wildlife.
As the path climbs, Loch Slapin comes into view below and the rounded Broadford Red Hills can be seen across the water. The crofting townships of Torrin and Kilbride are directly opposite on the far side of Loch Slapin.
After the trees are left behind there is a great view back of Blà Bheinn, the Cuillin peak which is not part of the main ridge but looks across at the rest of the Black Cuillin, a popular climb as it is not as difficult or exposed as some of the other Cuillin peaks. Continue along the path, with the long escarpment of An Càrnach looming on the right. Go through a kissing gate in the deer fence.
On the open moor the path dips to cross a stream and then curves round to the left and continues on a fainter path which is very wet underfoot. Eventually it runs along the higher ground keeping the fence on your right.
After a rise, the path dips to reach a fence with gate ahead. Go through the gate to explore the remains of some of the houses of Keppoch. This township, known as Ceapach in Gaelic, once supported over 50 families who grew crops in ridge and furrow lazy beds, kept cattle and cut peat for fuel. In 1852 the landlord evicted 44 families, many of whom were forced to emigrate to Australia. By 1875 there was no-one left living here.
Return on the same outward path, taking care to find the path where it curves right to cross the stream on the boggy open ground. There are good views to the steep peak of Beinn na Cro at the far end of Loch Slapin.
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