Heritage Path of the Month.
Loch Maree Post Road is our Heritage Path of the Month for December 2025, click here to view the details
More about Loch Maree Post Road:
This is a classic and historic walking route of the Highlands, traversing the length of one of the most beautiful of Scottish lochs. It is, however, not to be undertaken lightly, for not only is it long, but the going in places is very rough and there are no hostelries on the way.
Kinlochewe is the starting point for expeditions into the Letterewe and Fisherfield wilderness from the south. There is a car park 1km east of the village at Incheril. The route to Poolewe goes northwest along the path on the north side of the Kinlochewe River to reach the head of Loch Maree and continues along the loch in places, climbing about 100m above the shore. The path is sometimes hard to follow, especially in the bracken season.
Approaching Furnace, the historic line will have moved over time as a result of the need to cross the Abhainn na Fuirness. It is suggested that, just before this burn, at NG96070,6 go through an old metal gate and down to join the estate track. Having crossed over the bridge, both the left and right grass tracks lead to a more substantial landrover track to Letterewe. Just before the grounds of the big house, an estate sign directs you to the right and up the outside of the garden wall to a track leading north beside the Allt Folais.
From here on, the route follows good stalking tracks. At NG951724, the path divides. Take the west fork, cross a bridge after approximately 200m, and continue over the bealach and down Srathan Buidhe to the low ground at the foot of the pass. There, turn northwest round the base of Beinn Airigh Charr and go past Loch an Doire Chrionaich and down the Allt na Creige to reach Kernsary. From there, a path runs northwest beside Loch Kernsary to reach Srondubh and Poolewe.
OS Landranger 19 (Gairloch)
Poolewe used to be an important harbour, and this was the old route to Poolewe from the south, linking with the Coulin Pass from Loch Carron, as shown on General Roy’s map of 1755 and Arrowsmith’s map of 1807. It was used as a drove road; the hotel in Kinlochewe was formerly a drovers’ inn. Bord, a hamlet that existed before the village of Kinlochewe came into being, was the site of the old change house.
It is also the way used in the 1800s and possibly earlier by post-runners travelling from Dingwall to Poolewe. The 1921 book A Hundred Years in the Highlands by Osgood Mackenzie of Inverewe records the mid-nineteenth century journeying of Iain Mor am Posda (Big John the Post / John Mackenzie) from Poolewe to Dingwall and back. Latterly, his journey was shortened somewhat by the need to head “only” as far east as Achnasheen – he was the last post-runner, and he is said to have emigrated to Australia once replaced by the mail coach. Those who walk any of this route today will gain a very high respect for the postmen of two centuries ago.
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.