The Coral Beaches north of Dunvegan.

Start. Claigan.

Route. Claigan - Camas Ban - Coral Beaches - Groban na Sgeire - Cnoc Mor a' Groban - Coral Beaches - Camas Ban - Claigan.

Notes. Near Claigan just four miles north of Dunvegan can be found the most beautiful beaches on Skye, brave the single ribbon of tarmac from Dunvegan Castle and you come to a car park that is usually full, such is the popularity of this tiny corner of Skye. Known locally as “a wee gem” mother nature has constructed these beaches out of white shale sand and desiccated sun-bleached algae millions of years old.

As we were in the area why not visit the beaches, a few spaces were available in the car park, how lucky was that. To the west end of the car park a track leads towards Loch Dunvegan, this track was built from Claigan to Camas Ban by the MacLeod estate to enable them to extract coral from the shore there. It skirts the edge of the loch, passes to the left of a ruinous building at Canas Ban before descending to the Coral Beaches.

We opted to walk on the beach, add our foot prints to the many thousand all ready there. After wandering over coral sand then picking our way around black boulders we arrived at a rocky outcrop. Groban na Sgeire guards the north end of the beach, it marked our turning point, after scrambling onto close cropped grass we ascended Cnoc Mor a’ Ghrobain, a small hill backing the beach, the views from this inconspicuous mound were stunning.

We soaked them up a while before descending to the track we walked in on, then back we walked knowing one thing, the next time we visit the Isle of Skye we will also visit the Coral Beaches, why because we'll be staying in Dunvegan.

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The curtain raiser on this short but rewarding walk, the flat top of Healabhol Mhor (Macleod's Table North) over the silvery seascapes of Loch Dunvegan.

Viewing Dunvegan Head from near the car park.

Approaching Camas Ban the first but less interesting of the beaches.

Across Loch Dunvegan seen from Camas Ban the Duirinish Peninsula.

The ruin at Camas Ban, here's a snippet of useless information, in 1840-41, Claigan shepherd, William Anderson, is recorded living here.

Looking along the coast to the Coral Beaches, the island is Iosaigh, the low hill Cnoc Mor a' Ghroban.

Viewing the tidal island of Lampay, separated from the mainland by a small Sound, An Dorneil.

Rising from the Coral Beach, Cnoc Mor a' Ghroban.

Lapping wavelets and stunning views, Lampay backed by the Duirinish Peninsula.

A wonderful play of light along the Loch Dunvegan shoreline.

Wandering along the tide line of the whispering sea.

Traversing the north end of the beach, looking to the island of Iosaigh with the mountains of Lewis on the far horizon.

Across Loch Dunvegan, dark on the skyline, Ben Ettow and Ben Skriaig.

Nearing Groban na Sgeire, the beaches end here to be replaced by rock.

In shadow rising from the waters of Lovaig Bay, Sgurr a' Bhagh with sunlight on the Waternish Peninsula beyond.

From Cnoc Mor a' Ghroban views across island studded Loch Bay.

Looking over the Sound of Dorenil and the mouth of Loch Dunvegan taking in a sunlit Lampay, shadowed Dunvegan Head, gracing the a distant horizon the Outer Hebrides.

Wonderful views from Cnoc Mor a' Ghroban, a tiny hill on this island of giants.

Bays, small headlands and stunning views over Loch Dunvegan.

Above the ruin at Camas Ban looking to Healabhol Mhor (Macleod's Table North).

Translucent rays and silvery seascapes nearing the end of a short but stunning walk.

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