Hallaig visit

ISLE OF RAASAY


Summary :	Straightforward walk to the ruins of the cleared village of Hallaig, subject of Sorley Maclean's famous poem.
Terrain :	Waymarked walk on good paths except for the optional exploration of Hallaig village which is on rough ground.
Grade :		Distance :	6km/3.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	2 hours
Start :	End of public road at North Fearns.	Grid ref :	NG593359
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 409 - Raasay online	Ascent :	338m
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 :	No public transport to start of walk. 6 km along the road from ferry at Suishnish Pier.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Park at the end of the public road at North Fearns. In this area in 1919, a group of crofting families, landed here having been evicted from Rona. They attempted to take land to live on and were arrested. However, public support was so great that they were released and allowed to return to Raasay where they became known as the Rona Raiders. Follow the road past the last house and a footpath sign for Hallaig. The road becomes a track and follows the coastline on the ancient built path to Hallaig. There are excellent views of the Crowlin Islands and Applecross in good weather.

2. The path narrows and climbs gently uphill. Just beyond the corner, under an impressive cliff, there is a cairn memorial to Sorley Maclean, Raasay's famous poet, with a copy of his poem, Hallaig, in both Gaelic and English. A few steps further and there are the remains of a few houses. The path continues and enters a birch wood. From the wood, head uphill and inland towards the top of a large stone-walled enclosure and the remains of the houses of Hallaig.

3. When you have finished exploring the evocative remains, return to the main path. Follow the path back to the Cairn where there is a good view back of the waterfall below Hallaig as it falls into the sea. Return to North Fearns along the same path which is a good spot to look for marine mammals (or even submarines!) and sea birds.

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