Isle Martin explorer

Summary

Isle Martin is a community owned island, a memorable place to visit. This walk is a circular hill and coastal route with some rough hill ground and some rocky coastal walking, but with superb views over Loch Broom and the surrounding hills in a unique setting.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Maintained paths initially, then a waymarked route but on rough hill ground. One section along rocky shoreline leads back to paths. Some boggy stretches on the hill.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Jetty on Isle Martin, itself reached by seasonal ferry from jetty near Ardmair Bay.

Public Transport

The island is reached by a seasonal ferry service. Parking for the ferry is at Ardmair beach; the ferry jetty is a 300m walk along the A835.

Start Grid Ref

NH097990

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 220m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Isle Martin is cared for by the Isle Martin Trust who run a ferry to the island at weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May to October - weather permitting. From the floating jetty on the island follow the path above the shore and round to the main buildings, clearly visible on the approach. There is an information point here with various info and maps to borrow. Head S across the lawn and across the front of the next house. Ahead is a tin shed -“ the new school” which houses a museum with a lot of information on the island’s history. The walk goes round the back of the museum and through a gap in the wall, over a ditch and passes a ruined mausoleum. A short detour to the right leads to the Isle Martin Cross.

Stage 2

Return to the main path and follow it, away from the buildings. The path goes through a wall and makes its way gently uphill, through a small woodland , with memorial plaques. Beyond the woodland you arrive at a path junction. Turn left and follow the level path to a viewpoint overlooking Ardmair Bay. Retrace your route to the path junction and turn left (S). The path soon bends round to the right. Follow it onto moorland where the route is marked with little flags. Head W for about 700m. Here follow the markers to the right, straight on leads to another viewpoint on a low cliff. The path bends round and down to an artisan built shelter bench above a pebble beach.

Stage 3

Take the path heading N. At a path junction keep straight on. (The path to the right leads easily back to the buildings and the jetty). Follow this path until it drops down through a wall into a shallow gully. Follow the markers up the gully. At the top of the gully turn left (W). Follow the way markers which lead, in about 300m, to a cliff top viewpoint with fine views across Loch Broom and the Summer Isles. Caution is needed - the cliff edge, while solid, is very abrupt with a steep drop into the sea.

Stage 4

The marked route now heads slightly NE before dropping down to the left and following a path through heather bending round to the right before starting up the hill. The route is marked by flags and climbs first NW until above a small enclosed wood, then N to the cairn at the island’s high point 123 m above sea level. From here you have great views in all directions.

Stage 5

From the summit cairn head E following the markers through a boggy area to another cairn. The route through the bog is marked but does wander around first E then N then E again before climbing a short step onto a ridge and N to the cairn.

Stage 6

From this cairn with its views of Ben More Coigach and Dun Canna follow the marked route E until you drop down a steep little step and cross a boggy area. Look for the markers heading briefly N and onto a cleared path down to a rocky area by the sea.

Stage 7

Cross in front of the quarry spoil heap and look for the path cutting sharply back inland up a little gully. This soon bends round back onto the rocky coast. Follow the coast; the route is marked by cairns. There is one short detour inland on a cleared path to avoid a rocky impasse. Finally a cleared path avoids a stretch of often slippery wet rock. The path then climbs up a short way and is easily followed past a building (the old school) and on over some duck boarding (may be slippery when wet). At a path junction you can go either way: straight on leads to a short climb before the path passes the remains of houses in the old street from the days of the island’s heyday when there was a herring station and crofting community. After passing a croft in good condition the path drops down back to the main buildings and the jetty. Left leads through a pleasant area of woodland before emerging at the croft.

Route: Peter Ashworth

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