Old Road to Kinloch Hourn

Old Road to Kinloch Hourn Show path on map

Start location: Kinloch Hourn ( NG 949 066 )

End location: Inverie ( NG 766 000 )

Geographical area: ,

Path type:

Path distance: 25km

Accessibility info:

Route Description

This is a fine walk which combines the wild mountain scenery of Knoydart with the fjord-like upper reaches of Loch Hourn.

Start from the end of the public road at Kinloch Hourn and go along the fine lochside path for 2km to Skiary. Beyond there the path climbs above the loch for 2km and returns to sea-level just beyond Runival. Look out for the herons circling their heronry on Eilean Mhogh-sgeir 200m offshore. Continue west along the path which rounds a point and reaches the sandy flats of Barrisdale Bay. Pass the estate managed bothy and campsite at Barrisdale and, crossing the river, head southwest and climb to the Màm Barrisdale. There’s then a long descent by Loch an Dubh-Lochain and the Inverie River to the village of Inverie.

OS Landranger 33 (Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn)

Heritage Information

This old route is strongly depicted in the 1st edition 6 inch to the mile OS map as a parallel lined track. There were various townships, settlements and farmhouses located along the route such as the quite large township of Skiary at NG929071. The road would likely have been used a great deal by people living on the route to communicate and trade with others who lived on the route or nearby.

The presence of an old church and Graveyard in Inverie suggests that the road was also probably used as a coffin road by the people living on it to take their dead to be buried in consecrated ground. The ruins of another building marked Quoad Sacra Church are located at NG874059 - the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland have suggested this was used as a school at one time. If this is the case then pupils must have had to travel long distances for their schooling.

 

Gallery

The road beyond Kinloch Hourn. © Vicki Deritis, Geograph The road beyond Kinloch Hourn. © Vicki Deritis, Geograph
Track to Barisdale, along Loch Beag. © Sylvia Duckworth, Geograph Track to Barisdale, along Loch Beag. © Sylvia Duckworth, Geograph
Loch Beag, looking towards Kinloch Hourn. © Sylvia Duckworth, Geograph Loch Beag, looking towards Kinloch Hourn. © Sylvia Duckworth, Geograph
Path along south shore of Loch Hourn. © Tom Richardson, Geograph Path along south shore of Loch Hourn. © Tom Richardson, Geograph
The Loch Hourn path here working its way around Creag Raonabhal, which blocks the direct route along the shore. © Nigel Brown, Geograph The Loch Hourn path here working its way around Creag Raonabhal, which blocks the direct route along the shore. © Nigel Brown, Geograph
This beautifully built 'drystane' raised pathway runs close along the south shore of the Loch Hourn to the settlement of Barrisdale. The mature native Scots Pine is wider than it is high, not at all a classic conifer shape. © RoryD, Geograph This beautifully built 'drystane' raised pathway runs close along the south shore of the Loch Hourn to the settlement of Barrisdale. The mature native Scots Pine is wider than it is high, not at all a classic conifer shape. © RoryD, Geograph
The path towards the end of its long journey along the south shore of the loch climbs to over 300 feet before gradually descending to this point, leaving a short steep drop of 150 feet to its end on Barrisdale Bay. , © Nigel Brown, Geograph The path towards the end of its long journey along the south shore of the loch climbs to over 300 feet before gradually descending to this point, leaving a short steep drop of 150 feet to its end on Barrisdale Bay. , © Nigel Brown, Geograph
A peaceful summer's day at Barisdale (which seems to be spelt with both one r and two!). Barrisdale Lodge, stands among the trees in the foreground. In the distance, the stalker's cottage and bothy can be seen, with Luinne Bheinn in the background. © David Hoult, Geograph A peaceful summer's day at Barisdale (which seems to be spelt with both one r and two!). Barrisdale Lodge, stands among the trees in the foreground. In the distance, the stalker's cottage and bothy can be seen, with Luinne Bheinn in the background. © David Hoult, Geograph
Beyond the cottage, the path south from Barisdale splits, going left for the Mam Unndalain and straight on for the Mam Barrisdale. Luinne Bheinn lies ahead. © Nigel Brown, Geograph Beyond the cottage, the path south from Barisdale splits, going left for the Mam Unndalain and straight on for the Mam Barrisdale. Luinne Bheinn lies ahead. © Nigel Brown, Geograph
Mam Barrisdale - a Knoydart trunk road.On the pass looking north. The quality of the path can be seen. © Richard Webb, Geograph Mam Barrisdale - a Knoydart trunk road.On the pass looking north. The quality of the path can be seen. © Richard Webb, Geograph
This cairn marks the highest point of the track between Inverie and Loch Hourn. Loch an Dubh-Lochain can be seen in the distance. © Bob Jones, Geograph This cairn marks the highest point of the track between Inverie and Loch Hourn. Loch an Dubh-Lochain can be seen in the distance. © Bob Jones, Geograph
Luinne Bheinn reflected in the waters of Loch an Dubh-lochain. , © Richard Webb, Geograph Luinne Bheinn reflected in the waters of Loch an Dubh-lochain. , © Richard Webb, Geograph
Most of the footbridges on this track from Inverie from Loch Hourn have recently been replaced. Here a stream passes under the track to join the Inverie River. © Bob Jones, Geograph Most of the footbridges on this track from Inverie from Loch Hourn have recently been replaced. Here a stream passes under the track to join the Inverie River. © Bob Jones, Geograph

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