Rubha Réidh and Camas Mòr, near Melvaig

Summary

The walk begins near to Rubha Reidh lighthouse, with stunning views across to Skye. The walk around the coast on narrow cliff paths is rough going but gives views of amazing natural arches and the stunning beach at Camus Mòr. The route then climbs over heather moorland and bog to the mast at Maol Breac before returning to the coast road.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, very rough and exposed cliff path, boggy in places. Pathless moorland section with peat bog.

Public Transport

None to walk start.

Start

Parking area in quarry on right shortly before Rubha Réidh road end. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7km / 4.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 298m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG740914

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

Take the minor road from Melvaig towards Rubha Réidh; there's a parking area in an old quarry a short distance before the end of the road. Looking west, the Trotternish peninsula on Skye is clearly visible and as you walk north, the Shiant Islands, and beyond them, the Western Isles can also be seen on a clear day. Soon the lighthouse comes into view. Built by David Stevenson, a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson, in 1910, the lighthouse is now fully automated. Turn right at the gate before the lighthouse.

Stage 2

The track soon ends; from here, take the path across the moorland, keeping above the coast. Soon it meets another path coming up from a landing jetty; this was the only way to the lighthouse, apart from on foot, until the road was built in 1962. The steep incline used to have a winch and trolley system. Turn right to follow the path which keeps above the paths - do not be drawn onto the narrow sheep paths lower down that often lead dangerously close to the edge of the eroding cliffs. This is a good spot to look for Minke whales in the summer months and breeding sea birds on the nearby cliffs. Basking sharks, dolphins, porpoises and sometimes otters have also been spotted along with more common seals. After a while the path becomes clearer and soon a large sea stack with a fine natural arch can be seen ahead.

Stage 3

From the viewpoint here make sure you take the high path that heads directly up the cliff, inland, away from the edge. Keep following the path as it undulates over the bumpy headland. After heading in land a short way to cross a stream continue along the cliff top path, with great views down over the stacks.

Stage 4

Eventually the beach at Camas Mòr comes into view and more pinnacle shaped stacks below. It is possible to reach the beach by continuing round the clifftop and then descending an airy exposed sheep path from beyond the old settlement of Camustrolvaig, but this involves considerably trickier going than the route described here.

Stage 5

You could simply head back to the start along the outward route, but it is possible to make a pathless circuit, with more careful navigation. For the latter, head inland from the highest part of the cliff behind Camas Mòr (Grid Ref NG757899). Initially the ground is fairly easy going moorland, which then develops into heathery peat hags and eventually, once the masts come into view, there are frequent boggy sections. Pass to the right of the first of the masts reached at Maol Breac to gain the mast access road.

Stage 6

Turn right to follow this back down to the coastal road, with great views of the Trotternish peninsula ahead. Turn right once back at the coast road to follow it back to the start.

Route Profile

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