This was the third day of our stay at Doune on the Knoydart Peninsula which can only be accessed by boat or on foot.
Some of the group I was staying with wanted to do a bit of Island Hopping off the east coast of the Isle of Skye and included the Isle of Scalpay where I had an unclimbed Marilyn. It was an interesting journey through the Sound of Sleat, Kyle Rhea and under the Skye Bridge.
A number of the group were taken ashore at the Isle of Pabay while the rest of us alighted on the Isle of Scalpay. Due to the tides and access we were taken ashore by dingy on the east coast of the island just north of Camus na Fisteodh (NG 63427 28847). From here we walked along an old vehicle track before wandering through mature trees to locate the path that lead to Loch a’Mhuilinn.
Before reaching the loch we came to a deer fence where the gate was covered in mesh and locked meaning we had to clamber over the fence. Rather odd that a gate on a small island with few inhabitants required a combination lock. At the loch the others continued along the path while I climbed through long heather onto the Hump, Beinn Loch a’Mhuilinn, before returning to the outflow of Loch a’Mhuilinn.
I then headed west on pathless terrain and rock over the north ridge of Beinn nan Caorach to just south of Loch Dubh. From there I climbed to the summit of the Marilyn, Mullach na Carn.
My time on the Island was limited so I descended south-east crossing the Allt Guin Shuas before reaching a deer fence and with no obvious crossing point I climbed the fence. Unfortunately at the high point the supporting post split in half and I landed on the ground a bit winded and bruised.
Once I had recovered I continued across a new plantation with its long vegetation and lots of holes as well as more deer fences to reach Scalpay House. Passing it on the seaward side I located a path round the coast which led to where the boat was awaiting my return.
- Time taken – 3.25 hours.
- Distance – 8.75 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 575 metres.