This stunning circular walk follows the quiet coastline around the Kyle of Durness from Balnakeil Bay. It passes some fine beaches and has lovely views throughout.
Bog Factor
Coastal path, easier at first but becoming rougher with some pathless sections. Return via lochside has one boggy patch.
Balnakeil car park next to ruined church.
Bus to Balnakeil Craft Village from Durness.
NC391686
Start from the car park at Balnakeil, reached by taking the minor road west from Durness, passing the Balnakeil Craft Village. The car park is next to a ruined church and the large Balnakeil House. This house dates from 1744 and was the seat of the Clan Mackay and sits on the site of a monastry founded by Maelrubha in about 720. There are great views over the beaches of Faraid Head. From the car park follow the road towards the Golf Course, ignoring a stile to the coast on the right.
Pass through the golf course entrance and curve round to the right, following a grassy track weel right of the clubhouse. The route then keeps left of the 18th green, crossing the fairway to regain the coast. Give way to any golfers playing shots from what must be one of the most picturesque tees you'll find anywhere. When a bench is reached fork right to follow a narrow grassy path and above the cliff edge. Eventually some stone markers indicate where to bear half left, aiming for a gate in a fence.
Go through the gate, leaving the golf course and continuing on an initially clear path which soon comes close to the cliff edge, with a steep drop to the sea. Soon the path passes a deep geo, or inlet, and keep following the coast, taking care near the cliff edge.
Pass a small beach where there is a good view towards Cape Wrath and keep near the coast as the headland is rounded and the walk starts to head south. An area of springy turf is crossed and then a beach with a curious rock ridge between the sand and the water is passed on the path in the dunes just behind it.
Cross a stile over a fence and descend to another beach. This is easier to cross on the sand if the tide allows, though the climb up the dune at the far end is a bit steep (it can be avoided by heading up from the centre of the beach). Further on the route follows a sandy path across a steep slope of dunes.
The route now follows the dunes and clifftop alongside the Kyle of Durness. The white house opposite is near the jetty where the Cape Wrath ferry alights, you can take a bus trip to the Cape during the summer. Before reaching the road end, jetty and bus shelter, a footpath signpost for the Manse indicates the cross-country return.
Turn left here, following a faint grassy track. After crossing a low rise fork right to aim towards the shores of Loch Borralie. Continue along the shores, keeping the loch on your right. After 1km along the loch the route passes through a gate in a fence. Keep by the loch, ignoring the circular sheepfold off to your left.
When the northernmost end of the loch is reached cross some boggy gound and head east to a gateway in a wall. Pass through this, then head steeply uphill. There are views down over Loch Croispol on your left. Pass the Balnakiel old schoolhouse ruins, cross a small burn and aim towards the Manse. A lane is reached just before the Manse; turn left along it along the nearside of the craft village, then left again at the road to head back to Balnakiel.
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