Skye Trail 1: Rubha Hunish to Flodigarry

The trail starts from Skye's most northerly tip, Rubha Hunish, and follows a spectacular but rough section of the coastline, continuing above dramatic cliffs to reach Flodigarry and its hostel. Duntulm Hotel is near the start of the walk but there are no shops or cafes on this section. Flodigarry Hostel at the end of the walk sells basic foodstuffs, and adjacent is the Flodigarry Hotel which serves meals, whilst Staffin 1.5 km along the A855 has 2 shops, 2 summer cafes serving evening meals, and a campsite.

Terrain

Rough coastal walking, often boggy, the optional descent to the headland includes a short rocky scramble. Cattle and sheep grazing, dogs to be kept under control. There is one burn crossing which could be difficult after heavy rain.

Public Transport

Bus from Portree, alight at Duntulm Hotel entrance or telephone box at Shulista road end.

Start

Rubha Hunish. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

This Skye long distance trail starts from the most northerly point of the Trotternish peninsula, the dramatic headland of Rubha Hunish. To get here, the easiest route is from the small car park just east of the telephone box at the Shulista road end. From the car park cross the cattle grid and turn immediately left on a boggy path. Follow this path along the edge of the low escarpment, heading NNW. The path is boggy in places but fairly distinct, and continues mostly along the top of the low escarpment. The ruins of the abandoned village of Erisco come into view below to the left, whilst Duntulm castle is prominent on its crag by the sea. The path eventually reaches a kissing gate in a fence.

Stage 2

Take the path to the left through a boggy area and then around the flank of the hill to eventually reach the cliff edge at a dip between higher ground where there is a dramatic view down over the headland. To reach it, look carefully for the path which descends from a kissing gate on the left of a giant boulder sitting close to the cliff edge on the western (left) side of the dip where there are stiles on either side and a farm gate in the middle. This rocky staircase looks alarming from the top but you should be able to see a clear path further down below, and even the first rocky section looks worse than it is. Scramble carefully down the rocks and follow the route which turns towards the right about fifty yards down. S

Stage 3

oon you're off the rocks and following a well made path below the cliffs. If it all looks too much, skip the descent to the Hunish headland and head through the stiles and along the clifftops to the east, keeping to the right of the fence. The Hunish is well worth exploring for an hour or so and is an excellent place to spot whales and nesting seabirds. There are sea stacks on the west side and the best place for whale spotting is the north-east tip where the waters meet. Whether or not you visit the headland, return to the clifftop. Go through the kissing gate and head east over two stiles and uphill alongside the fence to reach the Lookout Bothy - a tiny open shelter maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Stage 4

From here follow the faint path, to the left of a line of metal fence posts, along the coast to the east. Follow the cliff, keeping to the right of a fence and dipping down to cross a boggy area and following a path which cuts out the small headland and heads towards the small peak, Ben Volovaig on the horizon. When a fence is reached, cross the stile and turn right to head southeast along a higher piece of ground. Soon faint vehicle tracks are reached and a prominent knoll seen straight ahead. When the ground dips head right, southwest, to cross a gap in the stone wall and pick up a grassy track heading SE. This soon reaches the ruined St Moluag's church. Continue to the road and turn right along it.

Stage 5

As the road bends right, go straight ahead through a kissing gate onto a path that leads to a footbridge over a burn. Turn left on the far side and continue round the coastline towards a whitewashed crofthouse. Pass to the right of this to reach the road end in Balmaqueen. Do not turn up the road, instead crossing over a stile (to be built shortly - if not in place use the road as far as the radar station temporarily) to take to the shore, keeping on the seaward side of the crofting land. Soon the coastline rises to a second fence (stile to be built); take care on the next section as the unprotected cliff edge is right by the route. Above this continue the walk along the undulating ground just back from the coastal cliffs, at one point passing a track up from an old radar station. As the walk continues along the cliffs, basaltic columns can be seen twisted into strange shapes and also some that have eroded to stand as lonely sea stacks.

Stage 6

Keep following the cliff top. There is no path and the route is very boggy in places - it is driest near the cliffs. At one point there is a burn to cross; this can be done with dry feet in good weather but may be tricky in spate. On the far side it is necessary to carefully step over the fence where some rope has been wrapped round the wire to make it easier - take care not to damage the fence. Now follow the coastal fence line uphill, keeping to the landward side until a stile is reached. Cross the stile and from here descend a steep grassy rake, taking great care as the cliff edge is nearby. This leads down to a lower level of the cliffs; now simply follow the coastal cliffs. Again, the route is boggy at times.

Stage 7

Look out for a well trodden path climbing up on the right at the back of the bay. This leads up to an interpretative carved slab. From here a made path heads inland. Dun Flodigarry Hostel is the large square white building up to the right; a rough path goes off to the right and leads up to it. Cross the second of the two stiles to access the hostel and the road up to the A855. The hostel is open all year and sells basic food, there is also B&B accommodation in nearby Staffin, and the Flodigarry Hotel adjacent to the hostel.

Next stage: Flodigarry to the Storr

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