Airigh-drishaig and Uags circuit, Toscaig

Summary

This very challenging walk uses two old paths that head to the southernmost part of the Applecross peninsula from Toscaig - to the old settlements of Airigh-drishaig (now a second home) and Uags (now a bothy). The two were once linked by a path high above the coast - this has now vanished, so only walkers who don't mind a challenge, rough ground and careful navigation can still make the circuit. For those less confident, Airigh-Drishaig (and Uags) can be visited by simpler out-and-back routes.

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Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Path to Airigh-drishaig is boggy in places but easy to follow along the line of electric poles. The path back from Uags is also boggy. There is no path on the link section between Airigh-drishaig and Uags - this is rough going, far from help - needing careful navigation.

Getting there

Start

Toscaig Pier.

Public Transport

None.

Start Grid Ref

NG709377

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19.5km / 12 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 680m (Profile)

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Explorer 428 - Kyle of Lochalsh

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

From Applecross, drive south towards Toscaig, continuing to the pier at the end of the road where there is parking. Walk back along the road for 1.25km then turn right to head to the houses at Upper Toscaig - there is no parking here. From the road end head for the footbridge, signed for Airigh-Drishaig and Uags. Cross the bridge and follow the path up to the left. A track heads left towards a barn; follow the path across the grass to reach a metal signpost. This indicates a fork; the right path heads for Uags and the left path for Airigh-Drishaig.

Stage 2

Take the left hand path uphill and through a gate, continuing uphill. Soon the sea and the Crowlin Islands can be seen behind you as the route climbs and also Skye, Pabbay and Raasay on a clear day. The path crosses the rough ground, always quite close to a line of electricity poles and descends to the head of a small gorge before climbing up the other side. Cross a footbridge over a burn. It then climbs over a low pass.

Stage 3

After 3km from Upper Toscaig (it feels longer!) the path descends to pass to the right of a sizeable lochan. After the lochan the path crosses the remains of a footbridge and climbs to go through a metal kissing gate in a fence. Keep to the left of the two smaller lochans and follow the line of poles.

Stage 4

Eventually the path passes just to the right of a cairn at the top of the pass. From here the line of descent towards the sea can be seen ahead. This next section can be very boggy. Keep following the path downhill until a stile in the deer fence is reached.

Stage 5

Climb the stile and follow the path down to the burn. There is a new footbridge a little below the line of the original path - cross this. On the far side regain the path and pass a marker post - indicating Toscaig the way you've come, Uags to the right - but no sign ahead along the path. You'll return to this point - but to visit Airigh-drishaig, first keep ahead on the path which traverses the hillside above the trees and gorse, with views down to a fish farm off the coast. The path then bears down through the trees to the only remaining house at Airigh-Drishaig - now a second home. Please respect the privacy of the owners and keep all gates closed to protect the young trees.

Stage 6

There are good views across the water to Kishorn and the mountains of Torridon beyond. Retrace your steps back uphill 350m or so to the 'Uags' sign. From here there is no path and it is rough going - so if in doubt of fitness, time available or navigation ability it is best to retrace your steps back to Toscaig. To continue to Uags, head off from the sign, crossing the burn above some flat rocky slabs. Continue traversing the hillside beyond, keeping at roughly the same height; a GPS track (download in advance on the Walkhighlands app) is a great help to keep on route. The path passes several old ruins from the old settlement here. Keeping on the same general line, the route climbs a little by a burn and then crosses the deer fence at a makeshift stile.

Stage 7

Continue on roughly the same level, crossing the Allt na h-Airighe after 500m or so. Beyond this climb very slightly to a little over 200m; eventually another older fence is reached, this time at a metal gate, with a lochan over to the right. Keep left of the lochan, losing a little height, but keeping just above a steep shoulder ahead. The final obstacle is a burn flowing down the hillside that has carved a deep ravine - this can be crossed below the ravine at NG731351. Keep to the left of the boggy hollow beyond, passing through a final slight pass before descending - with alot of high bracken in summer - to the ruins and then the bothy at Uags beyond.

Stage 8

Uags bothy has a superb location, right on the edge of the sea. The bothy is maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. Pass to the right of the bothy and through a gate into a patch of old woodland. The narrow path leaves through another gate, then passes through a second area of old trees before climbing a little, rocky knoll at one point. It keeps left of a low crag, then reaches a flat grassy area with stones piled when the ground was cleared years ago. Cross the burn beyond this and continue on the path, climbing a little beyond and with views to the left over a lochan to the sea.

Stage 9

Toscaig Pier comes into view as the path descends to pass through a gate in a deer fence. Beyond this it continues, with some boggy areas, eventually descending to a gate just short of Upper Toscaig. Pass through this and rejoin the outward route at the signpost beyond, turning left to retrace your steps along the path, crossing a footbridge to Upper Toscaig and then back along the road to the start at the pier.

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