Flodigarry Fossils Walk

TROTTERNISH, PORTREE AND THE BRAES


Summary :	A short walk exploring the coastline at Flodigarry - one of the best spots on Skye for hunting fossils.
Terrain :	Gentle paths down to the coast, but the walking along the shore itself is awkward, crossing boulders.
Grade :		Distance :	1.5km/0.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 hour
Start :	By phone box at junction in Flodigarry township	Grid ref :	NG465715
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 408 – Trotternish online	Ascent :	47m
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 57 - 4 times a day from Portree - get off at Flodigarry.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Take the minor road signed for Flodigarry from the A855 (not the road for Flodigarry Hotel). Park at the minor road junction down the hill, beside the phone box - taking care not to block any of the roads. The walk begins along the track opposite the phone box (to the left when facing the coast).

2. After 400 metres follow the pebbled path which heads off to the right (going through the gate ahead gives access to Flodigarry Hotel). The Hotel enjoys a fine location looking out towards the Torridon mountains across the sea; the cottage just visible behind it was once the home of Flora MacDonald, the famous Jacobite heroine. Continue down the pebbled path until it ends, just short of the shore. Turn left here and follow the grassy path down to the beach.

3. The beach is covered in large, slippery boulders. Turn right along it with care. After a couple of hundred metres there are eroding mud banks on the right of the beach - this is the foot of the continuing landslides coming down from the Quiraing above. It is this slide that is constantly depositing new rocks onto the beach - and new fossils. Anemites and belemnites can be found, particularly in the grey shale-like rocks.

4. Offshore here is Flodigarry Island. During the Great War, a conscientious objector hid on the island and lived there for several years, surviving on supplies brought over by local crofters. Continue along the shore until reaching a ruined stone building. Head up behind this building to a kissing-gate above. Go through the gate and up the path beside the overgrown stream. This leads out onto a minor road beside the garden of a bungalow. Head up the road to return to the start.

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