This circuit follows the line of the old coffin and drove road from Kirkton, before descending to Lochcarron and returning along the shore road.
Bog Factor
Mostly clear paths and rough ATV tracks, boggy underfoot in places.
Golf Club / Kirkton car park, Lochcarron.
Bus to Lochcarron.
NG914412
Start from the public car park at the Golf Club at Kirkton at the eastern extremity of Lochcarron - there is a cafe here. The route starts on the opposite side of the road up a track - signed for Kishorn Road via Kirkton Wood. It follows the route of an old coffin road (linking Kishorn to Kirkton burial ground) and a drove road for bringing cattle over from Applecross to a local market held here.
When the track reaches a gate and cottage, do not pass through - instead following the marker indicating the route diverting to the right uphill, then left, passing above the cottage before descending left again to a footbridge. Cross and go through the gate opposite. The route now follows a rough path, soon bearing right to head along a low bank through the scattered birch trees. The route is marked with scallop shell markers. Ignore a path off left (a detour to the remains of the cleared settlement of Kirkton), instead continuing along the ATV track through the trees and gorse. Good views begin to open up over Loch Carron.
The route curves left at a stand of old pines, and then continues by a long line of birches. Eventually a gate is reached leading onto the open moorland.
Continue across the moor until a clearer path is reached at a t-junction. The old drove and coffin route to Kishorn turns right here, but our circular walk turns left to begin heading back towards Lochcarron. When the path forks, take the right branch, towards a stand of conifers.
After passing the trees the route continues as a grassy track, with views over Loch Carron ahead. Further down, the route passes through two gates and continues to reach Croft Road. Take the footpath almost opposite which cuts right down to the main road in Lochcarron.
The village shop is just to the right, but our route turns left along Lochcarron's seafront. When the lochside pavement ends there's a pavement on the opposite side, but eventually you need to continue along the grass verge to return to Kirkton and the start, passing the original Kirkton burial ground.
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