Oldshoremore Bay circuit

Follow the coast to three beautiful sandy bays with rough headlands in between and return on the inland minor road. It is possible to shorten the walk by cutting back up to the inland road from Polin or Chaligaig Bay.

Terrain

Rough coastal path, some sections with no path, small scramble to leave Oldshoremore beach.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start, nearest bus is Kinlochbervie. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Oldshoremore Bay car park. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 2 - 4 hours
Ascent: 165m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NC203584

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the car park at Oldshoremore Bay where there are toilets. Take the path through the kissing gate and up to the shore, passing through another gate, and then take the wooden steps down to the beach. Oldshoremore beach is almost as fine as Sandwood Bay and is much more accessible. Cross the sand to the far end. When the tide is in, there is only a very narrow strip beside the cliff at this point, at low tide there is a little sand and stones. At the very far end of the beach, look for a band of red rock where it is possible to climb up a couple of rocky steps to join a path on the springy turf.

Stage 2

Head for the stile in the fence and once over it take a route pointing diagonally left uphill, there is only a faint path, but do not follow the clearer one that does not head uphill. The path cuts across the small headland, heading first up a wide and grassy gully between areas of bare rock and then heading west towards Polin Bay. Keep on the seaward side of the fence when you reach it.

Stage 3

Keep following the fence as the beach comes into view and follow it round the corner, staying on the seaward side. Climb the spur of fence with the wood on the top and follow a faint path along the top of the cliff here. Eventually it reaches a point where it is easy to reach the sand, depending on the state of the tide you may have to walk further on this path. Cross this second beautiful beach to the far side.

Stage 4

The path up onto the headland starts at a corner fence post and is indistinct to start with but quickly becomes clearer as it climbs, with stunning views back over Polin beach. Near the top cross a fence on a stile and then bear right to follow a faint path over the springy turf, keeping fairly close to the fence. This path leads down to Port Chaligaig, where there is a parking area and pier.

Stage 5

Follow the road inland for a very short distance and then turn left through a gate to follow a path on the seaward side of a fence. The path climbs quickly and once level with a gateway into the field keep heading uphill but aiming more towards the sea than inland. There are a couple of faint paths, but take care not to follow sheep paths which may go too close to the cliff. At one point the route passes a couple of sea stacks sitting on a rock platform. The path passes an old rusting fence post and continues to a flatter area of cliff top. When a stone wall comes into sight, aim for the seaward end of it and climb a stile over the fence here. Now the sand at Sheigra comes into view.

Stage 6

The path is fairly clear, but aim for the point below the steep sandstone rocks on the right. The path follows this wide ledge half way down the cliff and reaches the fence which forms the edge of the camping area. Keep ahead aiming for the grass behind the beach and go through the campsite to reach a track heading inland. Follow this to the cemetery and then up to the road just before Sheigra. Turn right and follow this undulating road all the way back to Oldshoremore, taking the signed right turn to return to the beach at the start.

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