Heritage Path of the Month.
Old Cross-country Routes is our Heritage Path of the Month for July 2026.
More about the Old Cross-country Routes:
From the car park at Incheril, go up the private road to Heights of Kinlochewe. Take the left-hand track which goes north up Gleann na Muice, and beyond its end continue along a path up the glen to the southeast end of Lochan Fada. From there bear northeast towards Loch Meallan an Fhùdair and beyond there continue north on a level traverse to the Bealach na Croise.
There is a path of sorts on the northwest side of the stream flowing northeast from the bealach; lower down cross the stream to join the path on its east side. From here, go north along the east side of Loch an Nid and down the path beside the Abhainn Loch an Nid until it joins a track 1km southeast of Achneigie. Turn right and follow this track uphill and across high moorland to pass by Loch Coire Chaorachain. Beyond this the track drops down through birch woods to reach the A832 at Corrie Hallie, where there is parking, 4km from Dundonnell Hotel.
OS Landranger 19 (Gairloch & Ullapool)
This route was described as “a very old and interesting right-of-way” by the Reverend A E Robertson in his fascinating pamphlet Old Tracks, Cross-country Routes and Coffin Roads in the North-West Highlands, first published in 1941.
The Roy Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55) shows a road running from Kinlochewe up Glen Tanigg (Gleann Tanagaidh) – instead of Gleann na Muice – then over Bealach na Croise to Loch an Nid. Roy’s route then follows the river all the way to Loch na Sealga and ultimately reaches Gruinard, so this is possibly the route used by the cattle droves from Lewis which were landed in Gruinard Bay.
The book A Tour In Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides 1772 by Welsh naturalist and travel writer, Thomas Pennant, recounts his journey from Dundonnell to Kinlochewe; 2026 is Pennant’s Tercentenary year.
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.
Photo: At the head of Gleann na Muice © Gordon Hatton, Geograph, licenced for reuse.