Coral Beaches, Claigan near Dunvegan

DUIRINISH, WATERNISH, DUNVEGAN AND CENTRAL SKYE


Summary :	A popular short walk to the spectacular Coral Beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal locations on Skye.
Terrain :	Good track (a boggy section can be avoided on stepping stones) followed by a path across grassy pastures.
Grade :		Distance :	4km/2.5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 - 2 hours
Start :	Road end at Claigan, north of Dunvegan castle.	Grid ref :	NG232537
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 407 - Dunvegan online	Ascent :	90m
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 :	None to walk start. Nearest public transport is at Dunvegan, more than 5 kilometres away.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

Coral Beaches, Claigan near Dunvegan no. 1

1. Continue on the minor road past Dunvegan Castle to its end at Claigan; there is a car park here on the left. At the far end of the car park is an information board giving details about the Coral Beaches and the walk. Go through the gate and follow the track. After crossing a boggy area on stepping stones, the track slants down and runs alongside the coast.

Coral Beaches, Claigan near Dunvegan no. 2

2. There are lovely views across Loch Dunvegan to Borreraig on the far side and Dunvegan Head; inquisitive seals sometimes pop up and peer at walkers passing along here. A pebbly bay with some coral sands is reached at Camas Ban, where the track heads off to the right. For the coral beaches, continue straight ahead across the grass towards the obvious gap in the dry stone wall. A stream is crossed on stones. Pass through the gap in the wall and over a slight rise. The true Coral Beaches are now revealed ahead - a beautiful sight, which on a fine day looks almost tropical.

Coral Beaches, Claigan near Dunvegan no. 3

3. Descend down to the coral beach. Close inspection reveals the sand to be made out of dried,calcified sea weed known as maerl. There are also thousands of tiny, delicate snail shells. The island just off-shore to the left is Lampay whereas the larger island straight ahead is Isay. Continue along the beach to the end of the sands.

Coral Beaches, Claigan near Dunvegan no. 4

4. On the way back, it is worth ascending the little flat-topped hill behind the beaches, known as Cnoc Mor a Ghrobain. This has excellent extensive views over the beach from Stein in Waternish right round to Dunvegan Head. The return is by the same route.

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