Churchton Bay, Inverarish & Raasay woodlands

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A beautiful exploration of the area around Inverarish village on Raasay, this walk includes a secluded beach, beautiful coastline and wonderful views. It also includes a visit to Inverarish, Raasay's tiny capital, and passes its new distillery.

Terrain

Waymarked paths and minor roads throughout; muddy in the woods.

Public Transport

Ferry to Raasay from Sconser on Skye; Sconser is served by bus.

Start

Raasay ferry terminal. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 4.25/54

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Raasay Ferry terminal at Clachan pier, Churchton Bay. Set back and well seen from the ferry is Raasay House; Johnson and Boswell stayed here during their tour of the Hebrides; it was devastated by fire in 2009 but has been restored. On the hillock above the public toilets are two huge but eroded stone sculptures of mermaids. Macleod of Raasay who built the house had grand ideas and spent his fortune; these mermaid sculptures were the final straw for his finances and he was forced to sell up. This was bad news for the islanders as the new owner, Rainy, evicted many of them to make way for sheep farms. Begin the walk by heading to the left of the public toilets, following a track past an old pier.

Stage 2

As the track swings right leave it and follow the waymarker posts on the grass around the back of the bay. At the far side a beautiful old grassy path leads out left towards the headland. When this old path forks, take the right fork uphill, passing another waymarker post. The path now heads back to the right along the top of the headland - follow the arrows on the marker posts; there are some muddy sections where the path plunges through masses of rhododendrons. The path emerges through a gateway above the beautiful North Bay.

Stage 3

This is sandy at low tide and has a wonderful outlook towards Ben Tianavaig and the Trotternish coastline. Follow the path along the grass above the beach, then at at the far end it heads left downhill to hug the coastline below the forest; this is a wonderful walk. At the end of the woods, by an old ruin, turn right uphill, soon reaching a wall. Here bear right alongside the wall to emerge on a minor road. Turn left along the road, and at a footpath sign and blue waymarker turn right on a grassy track uphill through a felled area.

Stage 4

This soon bends right and leads through a gate. This was the wall of the old orchard of Raasay House, though today the fruit trees are gone and the wall encloses the grounds of a house. Do not go through the gate, head around the wall to the left, bearing right at the corner. Beyond the orchard it is possible to make a detour to the top of Temptation Hill off to the right (the route is waymarked); this offers a beautiful view across towards the Red Hills. Back on the main walk, continue on the track ahead, passing Loch a' Mhuillin. At the foot of the loch turn left, cross a footbridge, then keep left again onto a track. Keep right at the next junction. The path now begins to descend; a signed detour on the right leads up to the ruins of iron-age broch of Dùn Borrofiach.

Stage 5

After visiting the broch continue along the path, passing the fine old Manse. Continue straight ahead at a track to pass the old kirk, then follow a path that runs parallel to and eventually joins the road. Turn right onto this then immediately left and over the bridge, then right again to follow the road into Inverarish - Raasay's tiny capital. The two rows of cottages were built for workers at the old ironstone mine. One of the cottages now houses the well-stocked community shop.

Stage 6

Turn right at a road junction to follow the main road back towards the ferry terminal passing the community hall. At the top of the hill keep ahead when a road joins from the right. The road soon passes Raasay's very fine new modern distillery. After about half a kilometre further keep left in front of the old steading, following the road which heads down towards the sea to return to the ferry.

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Churchton Bay, Inverarish & Raasay woodlands

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