Strathaird, Isle of Skye

Nead an Fhior-eoin – This hill was located in the Strathaird district on the Isle of Skye and was positioned on the west side of the B8083 Broadford to Elgol Road. Parking at my planned starting point, the east entrance to Strathaird House wasn’t possible, so I parked opposite the south entrance and walked the 500 metres back up the road. The east entrance was obviously no longer used as it was just a grassy track.

Nead an Fhior-eoin
Nead an Fhior-eoin

I briefly walked along this grassy track before leaving it and heading north through grass, avoiding the gorse bushes, to a stock gate in a deer fence. A bit pointless as the deer can easily leap the gate. Anyway once beyond it I followed some animal trails then headed through longish vegetation, including heather, gaining height. This led to a wee lochan then it was a steeper climb up the side of a small waterfall and onto Nead an Fhior-eoin. The highest point of this Hump was an outcrop.

Route onto Nead an Fhior-eoin
Route onto Nead an Fhior-eoin
Bla Bheinn
Bla Bheinn
Belig, Glas Bheinn Mhor and Beinn na Cro
Belig, Glas Bheinn Mhor and Beinn na Cro
Beinn na Cro, Beinn Dearg Mhor and Beinn na Caillich
Beinn na Cro, Beinn Dearg Mhor and Beinn na Caillich
Loch Slapin and Loch Eishort
Loch Slapin and Loch Eishort
Ben Meabost and Beinn Leacach
Ben Meabost and Beinn Leacach

The return was by the approach route.

Bidein an Fhithich – From the parking area in the hamlet of Elgol, at the south end of the B8083 from Broadford,

Elgol Jetty and Loch Scavaig
Elgol Jetty and Loch Scavaig

I walked fairly steeply back up the road to the signpost for Camasunary as parking nearer this point was discouraged. This tarred road took me north passed a few houses to a pedestrian gate leading to a narrow track running between two fences. At a second gate, which was tied down but easily crossed, I left the path and climbed east then north-east through grass onto the summit of the Tump, Bidein an Fhithich. The highest point was either some grass or an outcrop, difficult to tell.

Loch Scavaig, and Sgurr na Stri. Black Cuillin in cloud
Loch Scavaig, and Sgurr na Stri. Black Cuillin in cloud
Ben Cleat
Ben Cleat
South towards Isle of Eigg
South towards Isle of Eigg
Towards Isle of Rum
Towards Isle of Rum
Loch Scavaig and Isle of Soay
Loch Scavaig and Isle of Soay

I then returned by the ascent route.

Beinn Leacach – I left my car in the parking area on the east side of the B8083 Broadford to Elgol Road, south-west of Kilmarie, (NG545171) crossed the road, went through a gate, and walked north-west along a rough track gaining a bit of height. This height gain was lost as the track descended to a stream which was easily crossed. The track then continued north-west regaining the lost height and at a large cairn, which appeared to have no significance, I left the track and walked west through rough, longish vegetation and soft ground making it a bit of a plod onto the north ridge of Beinn Leacach where the going was easier. There were two possible high points for this Tump, some grass and an outcrop, so I visited both before returning by the upward route.

Ben Cleat and coastal route to Elgol
Ben Cleat and coastal route to Elgol
Loch Scavaig
Loch Scavaig
Sgurr na Stri, Camasunary and Loch na Creitheach
Sgurr na Stri, Camasunary and Loch na Creitheach
Nead an Fhior-eoin
Nead an Fhior-eoin
Loch Slapin
Loch Slapin
  • Total time taken – 4.5 hours.
  • Total distance – 12.25 kilometres.
  • Total height climbed – 700 metres.