Circuit of the Elgol Peninsula
THE RED HILLS, BROADFORD, ELGOL AND RAASAY
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1. There is a parking area on the B8083 Elgol road where a rough track heads off the road leading to Camusunary. Park here and walk up the stony track. When the Am Mam pass is reached, there is a glorious view revealed ahead of the Cuillin. The eye is drawn at first towards the jagged peak of Sgurr nan Gillean, seen distant but dramatic at the far end of the long glen.
2. The track now begins its descent to Camasunary, a beautiful green pasture at the back of a sandy bay, with the small but very rugged peak of Sgurr na Stri behind, itself backed by the main Cuillin Ridge. Continue on the track, which makes a wide zig-zag to the right, until the bridge over the river. You might want to detour from here to walk on the beach or visit the open cottage at the far side of the bay. Returning to the bridge, follow the path to the south along the shore, which is a little boggy at first but soon improves and climbs the grassy slopes.
3. This path has truly magnificent views across the waters of Loch Scavaig to the Cuillin - often reckoned to be the finest coastal view in the British Isles. After a couple of kilometres the path passes above a steep cliff, at times perilously close to the edge, before descending to the safety of the bay at the foot of Glen Scaladal. Beyond the glen, the path climbs again to a similarly vertigo-inducing section, before leaving the edge of the cliffs and eventually emerging into a lane at the top of Elgol village.
Photo shows this section of coast from the sea.
4. Join the road and walk down the hill into Elgol. There is a tea-shop on the left hand side; just beyond this the route takes the minor road off to the left (signed Glasnakille). Photographers would do well to first continue to the jetty at Elgol for the perfect view of the Cuillin. It is worth cross the beach beneath the picturesque school to where it ends beneath a low crag, patterned with a honeycomb of bubbles from the cooling lava. Return to the Glasnakille road and pass the community centre and shop. The road climbs over the peninsula, giving good views of the Isles of Eigg and Rhum. It begins to descend again from a wireless transmitter mast, until it reaches a 'T' junction with another minor road at Glasnakille.
5. The Spar Cave can be visited from here, but only if you've timed things to perfection for the tides. Instead, turn left along the minor road until it becomes a track, and heads into woodland. This area is very sheltered for Skye and the woods are full of bluebells in the spring. Eventually the track becomes a tarmac road once again and passes a few bungalows. As the road swings left up the hill, continue on slightly downhill on another track. Just before reaching a yard, a path leads off to the right. This continues round the coast until emerging on another minor road near some cottages.
6. Continue along the road, soon heading inland and passing Kilmarie House, once the home of Iain Anderson from the 60's band Jethro Tull. The minor road leads beside a stream and through the woodland, soon reaching the B8083. Turn left to reach the start of the walk in 500 metres.
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