Storr to Portree coast

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An unpromising start across rough moorland soon leads to a fabulous parade along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs. Superb views.

Terrain

Pathless, boggy and rough for the first three km; excellent cliff-top walking follows but with some steep ground.

Public Transport

This is a linear walk from the Storr Lochs dam to Portree. Bus 57 from Portree, Get off at end of Storr hydro road at bus shelter. Walk down this road 0.5km to walk start.

Start

Parking area just before the Storr Lochs dam, at the Storr Lochs fishing hut on the Scottish Hydro Road. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

This walk along the coastal cliffs north of Portree can be combined with a visit to Bearreraig Bay, or if time and energy are available, an ascent of the Storr. To reach the car park, take the minor Scottish Hydro road which leaves the A855 at the bus stop and park near the fishing hut just before the road crossing the Loch outflow. Most of the water is siphoned off through the giant pipes to power the hydro-electric scheme. Start the walk by following the road over the pipes and outflow and before you reach the house and the building housing the funicular railway which serves the power station below, turn right to leave the road at a path sign to follow a short section of path skirting the house and turning area. When the path bends left to head down the side of the funicular building our route heads right on a very faint path uphill heading for a post seen ahead on the highest ground. It is however worth detouring down to the left to admire the view over Bearreraig Bay.

Stage 2

Head south across the soggy moorland. Rather than following the traces of a path veering left towards the fence, it is better to head up to the minor hilltop ahead (marked by a wooden post). From the hilltop, there is a good view back of the Storr. Continue south, always keeping to the highest ground; grassy knolls are broken by occasional descents across boggy cols. After a couple of kilometres, the grassy crest you have been following ends; from here, make a beeline across the moor, aiming for the grassy gully breaking the line of cliffs ahead. Ascend this easy gully to reach better ground.

Stage 3

The route now follows the edge of the escarpment, first southeast and then turning south once more. Soon you will reach the foot of a steep crag - don't follow the obvious sheep track keeping left of this, but instead head right and ascend to the clifftop. The views from here are superb, both back to the Storr and across the sea to Raasay, Rona and Torridon. The next section of the walk is a delight on excellent turf. Follow the clifftop over the summit of Fiurnean, then cross a col before ascending Craig Ulatota.

Stage 4

The trig point on the summit of Sìthean Bhealaich Chumhaing comes into view and is soon reached. At 392 metres, this is the highest point of the walk; the reward is a view of the Cuillin across Portree Bay. As you continue south along the clifftop, the view seems to get even better. At Rubha na h-Airde Glaise the escarpment turns southwest, before ending at Creag Mhor.

Stage 5

There are good views towards Ben Tianavaig. The direct descent from here to the Bile pastures far below is barred by crags, so head right as you descend steep, rough and boggy ground to reach a post and wire fence. There is a stile just up to the right, after crossing this return down alongside the fence and then descend a faint path alongside the stream. At the bottom head right to cross a broken down stone wall to reach the flatter pastures. Head across these, passing through gates at each of the two fences.

Stage 6

At the far end of the pasture is a drystone wall; keep left of this until you find a soggy path which leads to a wooden gate in the wall, don't be tempted to cross the broken down gaps in the wall, the gate is right at the far end of the wall near the sea. Go through this and turn left on the now excellent path which heads round the coast into Portree, emerging on Scorrybreck Road. Follow this road around the coast and uphill slightly to join the main road where you turn left to follow Bosville Terrace into the centre of the village.

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