Old East Coast Path, Raasay

Old East Coast Path, Raasay Show path on map

Start location: North Fearns ( NG 594 361 )

End location: Brochel ( NG 579 461 )

Geographical area:

Path type:

Path distance: 11km

Accessibility info:

Route Description

From the end of the public road at Fearns, follow a broad grassy track properly made as the main access to the former settlement at Hallaig, with retaining walls both above and below the track as needed. Apart from two minor landslips, the route is in excellent condition until the south side of the abandoned township. Views are of unsurpassed quality to Kyle and Applecross. From the memorial cairn to Sorley MacLean (NG597382), especially fine views encompass Dun Caan and the north of the island.

Passing a former stable block the path deteriorates and one must find one's way as best as possible through the remains of Hallaig, after traversing scrubby birch wood. 

We have been informed that following the route between Hallaig and Screapadal is very difficult. However, reaching Screapadal from Brochel is more straightforward; so, if in any doubt, visiting the townships on two separate walks is an option.

We would be very grateful to receive further survey infomation.

OS Landranger 24 (Raasay, Applecross & Loch Torridon)

Heritage Information

This track passes a number of deserted townships such as Hallaig at 590 385, and South Screapadal and North Screapadal at 582 442 and 580 444 respectively. The township of Hallaig is probably the biggest on Raasay, containing the ruins of around 44 houses. Hallaig and the other townships were cleared shortly after 1846 when the island was bought by George Rainy of Edinburgh.

The Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean (1911-1996) was born in Osgaig, Raasay. Hallaig and Screapadal were both immortalised by him in verse; these and other of his poems can be found on the Urras Shomhairle website.

 

Gallery

NG598377: road to Hallaig (2006). © Nigel Homer, Geograph NG598377: road to Hallaig (2006). © Nigel Homer, Geograph
NG597367: at the end of the metalled road at North Fearns, a path leads to the cleared and ruined village of Hallaig and on up the east side of Raasay. Here, a small rounded stone inscribed with the figure 4 marks the distance in miles to Raasay House. © Richard Dorrell, Geograph NG597367: at the end of the metalled road at North Fearns, a path leads to the cleared and ruined village of Hallaig and on up the east side of Raasay. Here, a small rounded stone inscribed with the figure 4 marks the distance in miles to Raasay House. © Richard Dorrell, Geograph
NG585404: the Raasay east coast ''path'' looking south, a rough walk (July 2009), © Keith Cunneen, Geograph NG585404: the Raasay east coast ''path'' looking south, a rough walk (July 2009), © Keith Cunneen, Geograph
NG586414 looking south along the missing footpath. Nightmare on Raasay, bracken hell (July 2009). © Keith Cunneen, Geograph NG586414 looking south along the missing footpath. Nightmare on Raasay, bracken hell (July 2009). © Keith Cunneen, Geograph
South Screapadal of which Sorley MacLean wrote: Screapadal in the morning facing Applecross and the sun, Screapadal that is so beautiful, quite as beautiful as Hallaig. © david edwards, Geograph South Screapadal of which Sorley MacLean wrote: Screapadal in the morning facing Applecross and the sun, Screapadal that is so beautiful, quite as beautiful as Hallaig. © david edwards, Geograph
NG595362 looking SW (2018). A very well constructed track with a holding dyke along the uphill side. Looking at the six-inch map, there are several bench marks cut into the stones of the dyke between North Fearns and Gualainn na Leac. © Anne Burgess, Geograph NG595362 looking SW (2018). A very well constructed track with a holding dyke along the uphill side. Looking at the six-inch map, there are several bench marks cut into the stones of the dyke between North Fearns and Gualainn na Leac. © Anne Burgess, Geograph
NG594361 looking NE along the track to Hallaig. View to Applecross over the Inner Sound (2013). © Gordon Brown, Geograph NG594361 looking NE along the track to Hallaig. View to Applecross over the Inner Sound (2013). © Gordon Brown, Geograph
NG598367 looking SSW along the path from Hallaig to North Fearns. Hallaig is now a deserted and ruined settlement. This coastal path was once the access road. Just visible on the right is a milestone (2010). © Richard Dorrell, Geograph NG598367 looking SSW along the path from Hallaig to North Fearns. Hallaig is now a deserted and ruined settlement. This coastal path was once the access road. Just visible on the right is a milestone (2010). © Richard Dorrell, Geograph
NG598376: track descends gently towards a bend at Gualann na Leac. In the distance is the north of Raasay, between Brochel and Arnish. You can see Brochel from here, at the left extremity of the sea, but it's not obvious in this small image (2018). © Anne Burgess, Geograph NG598376: track descends gently towards a bend at Gualann na Leac. In the distance is the north of Raasay, between Brochel and Arnish. You can see Brochel from here, at the left extremity of the sea, but it's not obvious in this small image (2018). © Anne Burgess, Geograph
NG598379 looking west along the path approaching Hallaig, the cairn was raised as a memorial to the Raasay townships that fell victim to the Clearances which convulsed the Highlands and Islands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. © Euan Nelson, Geograph NG598379 looking west along the path approaching Hallaig, the cairn was raised as a memorial to the Raasay townships that fell victim to the Clearances which convulsed the Highlands and Islands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. © Euan Nelson, Geograph

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