Shieldaig peninsula

Summary

This beautiful short walk onto the An Aird peninsula which projects out into Loch Torridon from Shieldaig, one of the most picturesque villages in the Highlands. There are many lovely spots to admire the shoreline and look for otters and herons.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good track initially. The path parts are very rocky and rough in places - so be warned; there is also a brief very wet section.

Getting there

Start

Car park at Shieldaig near the public toilets.

Public Transport

Bus from Lochcarron/Kinlochewe.

Start Grid Ref

NG816543

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 165m (Profile)

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Explorer 428 - Kyle of Lochalsh

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

From the car park walk on the shore at Shieldaig (with public toilets) go up the road to the sharp bend. Here go straight up the road to the right of Shieldaig Primary School, though detouring along the road to the left first gives the best views back over Shieldaig and Shieldaig Island which is a nature reserve. Follow the track up through the gate beside the school, and turn left to pass below the sports facilities.

Stage 2

At the next fork ignore the sign for Rubha Lodge, instead fork right up a stony track. The track continues, with good coastal views between silver birch trees.

Stage 3

A little further on the ruins of former houses and a holiday chalet can be seen down to the left at the bay near Camas Beithe. On the opposite side there are good views up Loch Torridon.

Stage 4

After crossing some heather moorland a large cairn is reached. Turn left here to follow a very rocky but clear path up over the moor - the path is marked with arrows on the rocks. The route passes through some young silver birch trees and then down a very short scrambly rocky step to cross a flat heathery section. It then emerges on the track once more; turn left along it. Soon a green metal barn comes into view, keep to the left of the barn.

Stage 5

Eventually a path junction is reached at a gap in a tumbledown stone wall. A detour ahead here leads to a bench with a view over the loch; for a better view still, head up to the hilltop to the left from the bench. From here there are lovely views of Inveralligin and the Diabaig peninsula straight ahead and also down Loch Torridon. Return to the previous junction and go through the gap in the stone wall and cross the grassy ground in front of the barn following the white painted stones. From here you can see the boat hut below and the sheltered bay.

Stage 6

Climb up a rocky step - aided by a chain handrail, and follow the path to a fork. Our route takes the left branch here, soon making very rough and rocky awkward descent down through birch trees - great care is needed because of the tree roots underfoot. This awkward descent can be avoided by taking the right fork which descends to rejoin the route beyond Bad-callda.

Stage 7

After a short boggy section through bracken and reeds, the path emerges at a lovely green sward where sheep graze in front of the house at Bad-callda. Bear right from the house to follow a faint path up the greensward. The path soon becomes clearer and then reaches a track. Turn left along the track.

Stage 8

Keep following the track which climbs over low moorland and then descends with lovely views across the water to Torridon village and the mountains. Eventually the track swings right and leads back to the cairn where you left the track earlier. Turn left here to follow the outward path and track back to Shieldaig.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Kinlochewe, Shieldaig Hotels

Kinlochewe, Shieldaig B&B

Kinlochewe, Shieldaig cottages

Kinlochewe, Shieldaig hostels

Glamping and Camping

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