An Aird, Braes

TROTTERNISH, PORTREE AND THE BRAES


Summary :	The An Aird peninsula is beautifully situated and has excellent coastal scenery itself, making a delightful short walk.
Terrain :	Good path to the beach; the peninsula beyond is pathless and boggy in places but gives generally good going.
Grade :		Distance :	3km/1.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 -2 hours
Start :	Parking along the roadside, Gedintailor/Balmeanach	Grid ref :	NG526349
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 410 - Portree online	Ascent :	115m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	Bus number 59 has a daily service, two on Fridays. Get off at the Balmeanach turning from the main Braes road, one kilometre from walk start.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Heading south down the Braes road, take the turning on the left signed for Balmeanach. Seven hundred metres later, there is a red postbox on the left side of the road. Park carefully on the grass verges along this stretch of road, taking care not to block passing spaces. Take the path off left here, which has recently been reconstructed across the once boggy flats before it descends the steep grass bank beyond, passing a bench.

2. The path ends at the pebble beach, with the An Aird peninsula visible straight ahead. Continue round the beach, which has a good sandy stretch at the far end. This is a beautiful spot. At the end of the beach, head round the coast on grassy ground, passing left of a tiny loch, and continue on boggier ground above a low line of broken cliffs.

3. The northern end of An Aird is soon reached, crowned by Dunan an Aisilidh, an ancient fort. Only scattered stones remain, but the view of Ben Tianavaig rising in great tiers to the north, and of the Isle of Raasay to the east are magnificent. Seals can often be seen in the straits between here and Raasay; if you are lucky you might even spot dolphins or porpoise.

4. Continue the walk by heading along the east coast of the peninsula. This has small but impressive and intricate cliff scenery - it's worth peering down where safe. The best section is at the far end of the peninsula, where there are a couple of natural arches, sea caves and a great blow hole. Take care when exploring near the cliff edges.

5. Eventually the coast curves back round to the west, with Glamaig looking impressive across the water, to return to the narrow neck of land connecting An Aird with the Braes. Cross this grassy neck to the sandy beach visited earlier, and return to the start by the outward path.

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