Calum's Path and Fladda, from Arnish

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Summary

This superb and varied circular walk starts from the end of 'Calum's Road' at the northern end of Raasay. It leads through some beautiful native birchwoods, following a path built by Calum MacLeod with his brother, before he started on his more famous road. It leads to a slimy tidal causeway connecting with Eilean Fladday (or Fladda) - which you can cross with care at low tide. The return follows another fine path back to Torran.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Clear paths, steep in places, though Calum's Path is a little overgrown with heather in places. There are a couple of very short boggy sections. The tidal causeway to Fladda is over slippery seaweed covered rocks; crossing it is optional and only possible at low tide.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

End of the public road at Arnish. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 280m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG594479

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Take the road up to the northern end of Raasay. Shortly after passing Brochel Castle there is a cairn on the right; this is a memorial to Malcolm MacLeod. Normally known as Calum, he built the road single-handedly from here to its terminus at Arnish, a distance of almost 2.5km, over a period of ten years in an effort to save his community. Continue along the road - marvelling at Calum's efforts as it winds through the harshest landscape you could imagine - to its end where there is space to park. There are a few interesting road signs along the way!

Stage 2

Just beyond the parking area an excellent path is signed down to the left. Take this path as it winds round the hillside through the birchwoods to pass through a gate. There is a short paved section where the path climbs slightly, with magnificent views across the bay to the left and over towards the Storr on Skye. The path passes round the back of the restored white house where it forks. Take the left fork (signed 'Fladda') which passes in front of some stone outbuildings.

Stage 3

The path now passes above another house before heading through a depression ahead. Beyond, the brilliant construction work that making this route involved is clear as it crosses a steep rocky hillside across a terrace painstakingly built in stone. It was the work of Calum MacLeod and his brother, who together built the path to Fladda under contract from the local council during three winters from 1949 to 1952; they were paid £35 each per season. Calum later put to work much of what he learned from making the path during his later better known work on his road.

Stage 4

The path then slopes downhill towards the island of Fladda seen ahead; three houses on it have been restored as second homes. The island can be reached at low tide via a seaweed-strewn natural causeway. A visit is not included in the times and distance given for the walk; if you decide to make the detour, take care not to be stranded by incoming tides.

Stage 5

The circular walk continues on a path that forks right uphill (waymarked) before the descent to the causeway. The path climbs steeply, giving great views back over Fladda to Skye beyond. Once it levels off the path crosses a boggy area; this section was originally built up with turfs but has become quite soggy in places. Soon it reaches another waymarked junction; the left fork leads to the northernmost part of Raasay, overlooking Rona - but that's a long walk, so turn right.

Stage 6

The path passes between a high cliff on the left and a lochan on the right. The rocks here are Lewissian Gneiss, amongst the oldest rocks in the world. Cross the stile and soon the path begins to descend back into the birchwoods. It emerges at the junction behind the white house in Torran. Turn left to retrace the outward route to the start.

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