Heritage Path of the Month.
Applecross Coffin Roads is our Heritage Path of the Month for September 2025, click here to view the details
More about Applecross Coffin Roads:
From Applecross village (Clachan) go round the head of the bay and take the private road, which is a right of way, up the north-west side of the River Applecross past Hartfield. Follow the road past two plantations to its end and continue along the left-hand path, which turns north and goes in an almost straight line across the desolate interior of the Applecross peninsula to Kenmore.
An alternative finish to this walk, which is 2km shorter, is to take the right-hand path from the road end and go northeast to Inverbain.
For those considering mountainbiking the route, this clip from Kerry is Kirsty gives an idea of what to expect.
OS Landranger 24 (Raasay, Applecross & Loch Torridon)
Both these paths are old coffin routes which were used in time past by burial parties going to Clachan church at Applecross Bay. There are several cairns along the route which indicate where the procession would have rested and possibly drank to the deceased. They are both very long coffin roads, so it is entirely understandable that people would need frequent rests along the way. The Applecross Heritage Centre has a bier in its collection, which was used to carry the coffins.
More about Heritage Paths
Learn about the history of some of the oldest transport routes in Scotland. Heritage Paths records the history of over 400 routes that criss-cross the Scottish landscape. From Roman Roads to Military Roads, find out how the route you are following came into being.
As well as historical information, you’ll find a modern-day route description along with start and finish details. Change the background mapping in our interactive viewer and time travel along your favourite Heritage Path from 1843 to today.