Rhenigidale Post Road Show path on map
Start location: road above Reinigeadal, North Harris ( NB 224 017 )
End location: road to Scalpay, east of Urgha Beag, North Harris ( NB 184 004 )
Geographical area: Western Isles
Path type: Rural Path
Path distance: 6.5km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians
Route Description
On the public road above Reinigeadal (Rhenigidale), at NB224017, two signs to Urgha and an information board indicate a path. Follow this well-made path west as it traverses the hillside above a fence, go through a gate and cross a bridge to pass between the ruined houses of Gearraidh Lotaigear. Continue on undulating terrain around the hillside and across bridges over gullies before angling slightly uphill and around a large rock on the left, then descending steeply to the pebbly bay at Loch Trolamaraig. From here, climb straight up the zigzags to ascend the steep hillside ahead. The route eases off eventually, passing a left turn (NB205009) to Moilingeanais before reaching the highest point between Trolamul and Beinn Tharsuinn, which is marked by a large cairn on the right. Descend west to the public road at Lacasdail and the car park, around 700m east of the settlement of Urgha Beag.
There is some erosion on the steep parts on either side of Loch Trolamaraig, but otherwise this is a good path and well used – mainly these days by walkers accessing the Gatliff Hostel at Reinigeadal.
As noted above, a spur to Moilingeanais (Molinginish), an abandoned village with two restored holiday cottages, leads off at NB205009. This steadily descends to sea level, but is slightly boggy in places. The alternative, the “sheep track” which runs from Moilingeanais to Loch Trolamaraig to rejoin the Reinigeadal track, is over steep slopes and is wet and slippery – it is not advised, especially in or after wet weather. Instead, a return ascent is recommended via the spur to reach the old post road once more at NB205009.
OS Landranger 14 (Tarbert & Loch Seaforth)
Heritage Information
This route is known as the post road because the Reinigeadal postie used this route to get to Tarbert to fetch and deliver the mail three times a week. It was the only land access to Reinigeadal until 1990, when the new tarmac road came in from Maruig. The teacher used to be brought in daily by boat. Mains electricity only arrived in Reinigeadal in 1980, the wooden pylons had to be lifted in by helicopter.
The Rhenigidale hostel was the first set up by Herbert Gatliff, in 1962. The owner and first warden was Roddy MacInnes, he and others dreamt that the public road would one day reach Reinigeadal and so save the settlement from desertion. He lived to see work on the road start.
For more information about the Rhenigidale Hostel and the work of the Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust, visit www.gatliff.org.uk. A fascinating book Walks From The Gatliff Hostel at Reinigeadal (Neil Pinkett, 2000) is highly recommended if you can track down a copy.
In 2016, the post road featured in episode 2 of BBC Alba's series Kerry 's Kirsty: Rothan gu Robhanais - the story of a mountain biking trip from Vatersay to Lewis. It included an interview with Kenny MacKay, the last Reinigeadal postman to use this route. Despite the route featuring in this mountain biking documentary, cycling the route is not recommended for the inexperienced - Kerry and Kirsty MacPhee are competition standard mountain bikers! To watch the programme, keep an eye on the iPlayer as it is occasionally repeated.
