Ferry Wood and the Ord, Lairg

Summary

This route is a combination of two short waymarked walks from the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, an exhibition giving the chance to find out about the natural history of the area. The walks visit the shores of a loch, a hill-top viewpoint and some archaeological remains.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Both loops are on waymarked paths; the Ferry Wood route is laid out to All Abilities standard and should be suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Getting there

Start

Ferrycroft visitor centre car park.

Public Transport

None to start - Lairg train station is 2km start.

Start Grid Ref

NC579061

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 85m (Profile)

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Explorer 441 - Lairg

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Both of these two loops leave from the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, which is well worth a visit (open only in season). It houses a cafe, audio-visual exhibition and has wooden wildlife sculptures in the grounds. The easiest of the too loops is the Ferry Wood trail; this leaves to the right of the centre, heading along the track which is the continuation of the road to the centre. Go through the gate to enter the woods proper.

Stage 2

Ferry Wood is a mixed woodland with many fine Scots pines as well as birches. Continue to reach a wildlife pond on the left, with a wooden sculpture of a frog. The path forks here; take the right hand option first. The path passes another pond before coming alongside the shores of Little Loch Shin. Keep right at the next fork to reach another picnic table, in a beautiful position right on the shores of the loch.

Stage 3

After the table the path heads through a more open area and climbs slightly. On the right is grassy mound with scattered blocks of stone - the remains of Dùn Coille, an iron-age broch which may have once stood to a height of ten metres. There are brochs throughout much of the Highlands and Islands, usually with a double wall (with a passageway between) encircling a central area that may have provided a refuge at times of attack. A short distance further on are the remains of a hut circle before the path leaves the open heather behind and heads back amongst the pines.

Stage 4

Once back at the information centre, pass in front of the building and pick up the marked path for Ord Hill on the far side. Pass through a small metal gate onto the moorland and bear left to pass close to the rear of the houses; don't go through the gate to them but instead head slightly uphill on a clear path. Soon the remains of a hut circle is reached with an information board. The whole area is scattered with remains like this, testament to a time when the area was highly populated with farmers, 3,500 years ago. At the junction turn right and head gently uphill following the marker posts. When the track splits keep straight on towards the mast of Ord Hill, bearing left near the top to reach the massive remains of a chambered cairn on the right.

Stage 5

It is thought that this was a burial chamber for the whole community and dates from over 5000 years ago. Bear left here towards the upright stones on the summit itself. These are remains of another chambered cairn and have a magnificent view along Loch Shin towards Ben Klibreck. Follow the marker posts onto a path that heads down the other side of the hill.

Stage 6

Soon a pit which may have been used for cooking or possibly as a steam pit for washing is passed. Rejoin the outward route by turning right at the junction and then turn left along the path towards the houses and follow the path back to the information centre and car park.

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