North from Broadford.

Start. Broadford.

Route. Broadford - Broadford River - Corry - Broadford Pier - Rubh' an Eireannaich (Irishman's Point) - Allt a' Ghlotain - Rubha na Sgianadin - Camas na Sgianadin - Cemetery - Old Road - Broadford.

Notes. Nestled beneath the impressive scree dome of Ben na Caillich (the hill of the old woman) lies the Skye village of Broadford, although some parts of Broadford may be more municipal than pretty, views over the bay to Scalpay, Pabay and the mountains of Torridon and Applecross are a positive delight. We’ve passed through Broadford many times en route to elsewhere only ever stopping to visit the Co-op or chip shop, today we stopped for more than just a fleeting visit. This walk traverses the shore line north of Broadford, a bit rough and pathless in places, an ankle breaker, but weirdly enjoyable.

From the main car park we wandered to a footbridge spanning Broadford River, this we crossed, the path continued hugging the coast line, soon reaching Broadford Pier and Corry, from Corry we continued along the coast, passed Corry Bothy before traversing Rubh’ an Eireannaich (Irishman’s Point). In 1862, the Irishman, a paddle steamer was sailing from Liverpool to Portree to pick up sheep. When she was off Broadford she encountered heavy fog and ran aground on Sgeir Thraid, a skerry north of Scalpay. No lives were lost the crew rowed to safety landing at what is now known as Irishman’s Point.

We continued following the boulder strewn coastline, sometimes over rocks other times on a grassy trod just above the stoney beach, the middle section was the uncomfortable bit, loose rocks, every step awkward. After scrambling over a ridge of gabbro we reached a deserted croft, proof man once lived on this lonely stretch of coast, probably eking a living from fishing and farming. Our route from here became easier, we were soon able to walk a green trod between the beach and forestry plantation.

The path swung into a small bay, dominating the view the huge scree dome of Beinn na Caillich, capped by a massive cairn. It is said beneath the cairn lies the body of a Norwegian princess, beneath her body a casket of gold, or so the story goes, a much longer story than that but you get the gist. From this small bay our route swung into the forestry plantation, much of it felled, rounded the lovely bay of Camas na Sgianadin before ascending to a main road.

We turned left casually wandered passed a cemetery to join the old road to Broadford, traffic free now set back from the main road, it made for an easy pleasant walk back.

view route map.

home.

The tiny island of Pabay seen from Broadford.

Footbridge across Broadford River.

From the rocky shoreline views to Broadford Pier backed by Pabay and the mountains of Torridon and Applecross.

The scene over Broadford Bay with Irishman's Point to the far left.

Nearing Corry Bothy and Irishman's Point.

High and lofty with a story to tell, the last resting place of an Norwegian princess, Beinn an Caillich.

Soaking up views to the grey mountains of Torridon and Applecross.

The view north with Scaplay rising from the waters of Loch na Cairidh.

Sue picks her way through a remarkable array of rocks.

The timeless quality of this deserted stretch of coast.

A burn cuts it's way through black gabbro, a point worth mentioning, we did this walk after a dry spell, the local oracle, whom we met at the start of this outing warned us after heavy weather the rocks are dangerously slippery, a point worth keeping in mind.

Echoes of a past way of life, this lonely croft would have been home to a small family eking a living from farming and fishing.

Magnificent mountain backdrop, Beinn na Caillich and Beinn Bearg Mhor, the Red Cuillin.

Lapping wavelets and stunning vistas, the Isle of Skye, round every corner a wonderful view.

En route through what remains of the forestry plantation.

When I looked at the map I wasn't sure what this old road would be like, we were quite prepared to pick our way back through the forestry, never fear, perfect.

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