Polglass broch and Rubha Dunan

Summary

This short walk visits the bay at Polglass to pass a ruined broch and houses and then follow a grassy path out to the headland of Rubha Dunan. A wonderful spot to watch for otters and other sea life or enjoy the sunsets and view of Horse and Goat islands. The continuation has a rocky stretch and some boggy ground. The walk crosses working croft land and dogs are requested to be kept on a lead.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good path to shore, then narrow rougher path with some rocky and boggy ground.

Public Transport

Bus from Ullapool (811).

Start

Parking at the Coigach community hall. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 4km / 2.5 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 67m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NC028077

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Park at the Coigach Community Hall, which is just off the road through Achilitibuie and Polglass. Begin the walk by returning to the main road and turning right along it. There are lovely views of Horse and Goat Islands immediately out to sea in the bay and to the peaks on the far side of Loch Broom. After 600m there's a sign for 'Broch and Coast'; turn right onto the well-constructed path here.

Stage 2

From here head down the well made path that leads down to the shore. At the shore keep right to pass over a bridge over the outflow from Loch Poll an Dùnain, a reedy habitat for herons and smaller birds.

Stage 3

Soon the lump of the iron-age broch can be seen. Two houses have been built into the sides of the structure and these remain as atmospheric ruins. Not a lot is known about the broch here, it was probably built as a defensive structure on the pebble bar at a time when the loch behind was joined to the sea. The later farmstead was added in the early nineteenth century and robbed the broch of many of its stones to build the houses and outbuildings. Beyond the broch head to a gate in the fence which leads to the headland path. To the right is an old croft house.

Stage 4

The narrow path over the grass and heather terrain takes you out to Rubha Dunan - along a great bit of coastline for watching for marine life such as seals and porpoises. The sunsets here are also stunning if you can stay up late enough in the summer months when it only really gets properly dark around midnight in mid June. Continue round the coastline on a rougher, informal path. The path cuts across a rocky slope below Cnoc na Croiche; if uncomfortable with this you could head over rougher ground over the top past some erratic boulders.

Stage 5

Further on the path fades and becomes boggier; aim for a gate in the fence over to the right, adjacent to a small stone building. From here a surfaced path continues round the coastline, passes through a gate and then heads inland, becoming a track. It passes a small cafe before returning to the start.

Route Profile

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