Loch Eynort and Preshal Beg

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The central, highest and toughest section of the Minginish coastal cliffs. The cliffs themselves give excellent walking on grass but the approach and return are across tough, boggy terrain - though with great views.

Terrain

Pathless walk over tough terrain: bogs, steep grass, heather and crumbling cliff edges. Good navigational skills essential.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Loch Eynort minor road end. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Take the minor road to Loch Eynort from Carbost. There is plenty of room to park at the end of the public road. Go through the gate and follow the track which is the continuation of the road. Pass through a farmyard (another gate) and then cross a field to a third gate. There's a ruined church on the left with an extensive graveyard - this, together with the lazybeds and runrig sings of previous cultivation around the side of the glen, indicate that there was once a much larger population here. Where the track heads uphill through a gate in a fence, carry straight on instead, keeping left of the fence. An abandoned house comes into view at Faolainn on the shores of the loch - pass well above it. Once you have passed beneath an outcrop, head uphill steeply until above the highest of the tiers of crags.

Stage 2

Head along the edge of the crags, until the cliff eventually fades away. There are views over the sea to the Isle of Canna; as you head further round the coast, Rum and finally Eigg also come into view. Once the cliff edge has become indistinct, contour round the grassy slopes until it begins once again. Cross a second valley, revealed at the last moment, above a prominent waterfall. If the weather has been dry, it may be possible to cross the stream immediately above the waterfall - in other conditions, a detour upstream will be needed to find a safe place to jump. Climb over the substantial drystone wall at the corner near the waterfall, and head once again up and along the top tier of crags.

Stage 3

When the crags become indistinct once again, there is a welcome interlude of easier ground, grass and bracken, until a fence is reached by the coast. There is a wooden section to climb near the cliff edge. Once over, head up the steep heather slope to flatter ground, and then contour round until the coast slopes up to join you on the same level, at Sgùrr Buidhe. From here onwards, the coastal scenery is truly spectacular, the going is easier, and there is a line of fence posts to guide you along the cliffs.

Stage 4

A steep climb is needed on grass to pass above another waterfall; luckily the stream is easier to cross. There is a further climb beyond - bear right to pass through the obvious gap in the line of crags before once again following the coast. The next section is delightfully easy, the highlight of the walk - a spectacular cliff top stroll from Sgùrr nam Fiadh to the highest cliffs on the whole Minginish coast at Biod Ruadh - 280 metres almost vertical down to the sea. The strange hill over to the right is Preshal Beg, looking something like a cross between Ayer's Rock and the Giant's Causeway - we'll visit it more closely on the return. At the high point there is a grand view north over Duirinish, with both Macleod's Tables and the Maidens prominent.

Stage 5

From Biod Ruadh, head directly down the long grass to the col between it and Preshal Beg, before ascending to the base of the cliffs. It is possible to follow a sheep path around the base of the cliffs of the Preshal, above the scree slopes. This enables one to see the remarkable rock architecture close up. The whole of the lower half of Preshal Beg's southwest face is constructed of perfect dolerite columns that could put Staffa or the Giant's Causeway to shame, whilst the screes below are littered with fallen columns. Continue around to the col behind Preshal Beg at its southeast corner, from where it is possible to detour to the flat summit.

Stage 6

From the col, the two kilometre climb to Beinn Bhreac is boggy and careful navigation is required to locate the trig point as it lies on a gently undulating plateau. The actual summit is a hundred yards further east, and has a wonderful 360 degree view. Bracadale is far behind, the small islands are clearly visible, with Rum looking magnificent. Northeast one can see the Trotternish Ridge, but even more impressive is the view of the nearby Cuillin, revealed suddenly on reaching the summit. From the summit head straight east, rounding the north edge of a lochan to reach the cliff edge. It is necessary to head slightly north east to find an easier descent to Beinn na Cuinneig. From here you are heading for the Bealach na Croiche ahead, though there are a couple of fences to climb and a grassy ravine to cross. Once at the bealach, descend to the east, eventually following the fence round and down to reach the track through the gate where you left it this morning. Return along the track to the road end - you've certainly yourself a pint in the Old Inn at Carbost.

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