Slaggan Bay beach, near Aultbea

Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation

A pleasant and straightforward walk passing a loch with waterlilies and the ruins of Slaggan before reaching the sandy beach at Slaggan Bay. The walk can be extended to a long circuit by heading north along the coastline from the beach, round Greenstone Point and back by Opinon.

Terrain

Good track throughout.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Parking area on the road between Achgarve and Mellon Udrigle 50 metres north of the walk start. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.
There are 3 user reports for this walk - click to read them.

Write your own report - there's £90 to win at Webtogs each month

Currently 3.00/5

User Rating
Log in to vote

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10km / 6.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 100m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG888940

Maps, App and GPS

WANT TO SPONSOR THIS ROUTE?

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is room to park at a small quarry just north of the farm gate (signed for Slaggan Bay) at the start of the walk. Go through the farm gate from the road and follow the clear track. The village of Achgarve is visible to your left and after rounding the corner Loch na h-Innse Gairbhe comes into view.

Stage 2

The far end of the Loch is often covered with flowering waterlilies in the summer months. The route continues on the track, ignore a faint grassy track to the left and remain on the main track. This crosses open heather moorland sometimes grazed by Highland cattle.

Stage 3

After a couple more kilometres from the Loch the ruins of Slaggan come into view. Slaggan was a typical crofting village which at one time had a school and teacher. However by the time of the second world war the population had dwindled to six. The last family to live there were the Mackenzies from Achgarve who built the house where the gable ends remain in 1936 with help from the Crofting Commission. This house burnt down in 1942/3 and the family moved permanently to Achgarve leaving the village deserted.

Stage 4

Go through the farm gate at the ruins and follow the grassy path towards the bay. The beautiful sandy beach is revealed at the last moment. Head down onto the sands.

Stage 5

The beach is stunning unless the tide is right in, however strong currents can make swimming dangerous so care should be taken. It is possible to extend the walk to a long circuit by following a path north round the coastline and Greenstone Point before returning via Opinan. Our easy route, however, is simple to retrace your steps via outward track. As you get nearer the road there are views to the mountains ahead including An Teallach.

Enjoyed this walk route or find Walkhighlands useful?

Walkhighlands traffic is increasing, but advertising revenues are falling sharply.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Please let us know by clicking here.