April 2016

A walk to Dùn Caan 10 Looking SW from the edge of the summit plateau of Dùn Caan to the spectacular scarp of Bealach Ruadh and the nameless lochan perched (it seems) almost on the edge of the precipice. In the background are the Red Cuillins on Skye and Loch Sligachan.

A walk to Dùn Caan 9 After leaving Loch na Meilich the last part of the ascent begins. It is much easier than it looks from below. A well-planned and delightful path zig-zags its way up the steep, west-facing grassy slope, with the views becoming increasingly spectacular as height is gained. Although the top of Dùn Caan is guarded by a rim of crags all round, the path leads through a notch with easy access to the summit plateau.

A walk to Dùn Caan 8 I liked how the scree slope fans of Bealach Ruadh were reflected in Loch na Meilich. They look like dinosaurs or dragons:

A walk to Dùn Caan 6 After leaving the nameless lochan, the path descends steeply over the edge of the fault-line scarp of Bealach Ruadh. A short stony gully (see note) quickly leads to a well-graded path which descends obliquely to the shore of Loch na Meilich at NG 5756 3943.

A walk to Dùn Caan 7 Next to the path at Loch na Meilich is this warning sign. However, the dragons must have been away, as I didn't see any, even though I looked for them. A pity. Added 2021: The dragons are actually formed by the patterns of the scree slopes which run down into the loch!

A walk to Dùn Caan 5 Looking back to the west towards Skye from the the nameless lochan at NG 575 393. Across the Sound of Raaay is the summit of Ben Tianavaig, with the bay leading to Portree to the right.

A walk to Dùn Caan 4 Another view of the summit of Dùn Caan from the nameless lochan at NG 575 393.

A walk to Dùn Caan 3 Near Càrn Sgrabach the path levels off and the summit of Dùn Caan comes into view, well seen across a little jewel of a lochan (nameless) at NG 575 393. A great spot for a short rest. There is little hint of the steep descent shortly to come as the path plunges over the edge of Bealach Ruadh!

A walk to Dùn Caan 2 The path to Dùn Caan starts from the roadside at NG 5611 4056, near Balmeanach about halfway along the north-south length of the island. The path is beautifully graded and rises steadily in a south-easterly direction for 2 km before levelling off near Càrn Sgrabach. Another view looking back down the path with the Sound of Raasay and Storr in the distance.

A walk to Dùn Caan 1 The path to Dùn Caan starts from the roadside at NG 5611 4056, near Balmeanach about halfway along the north-south length of the island. The path is beautifully graded and rises steadily in a south-easterly direction for 2 km before levelling off near Càrn Sgrabach. This is a view looking back down the path with the Sound of Raasay and Storr in the distance.

Another view of the spectacular sunset over Churchton Bay and the ferry terminal on the island of Raasay.

A spectacular sunset over Churchton Bay and the ferry terminal on the island of Raasay. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Hallaig is just visible, moored up for the night.

Glamaig (775m) on Skye across the Narrows of Raasay, viewed from 'Kate's Cottage' on Raasay.

The wave-cut platform just in front of Kate's Cottage exposes the Druim an Fhurain Sandstone (Jurassic) cut by a steeply dipping dolerite dyke (Tertiary). The Cuillins on Skye form the backdrop across the Narrows of Raaasy.

'Kate's Cottage' was home for a week during my stay on Raasay.

The small settlement of Clachan overlooks Churchton Bay on the island of Raasay. Photo taken from the Raasay ferry.

Looking back to Skye and the Cuillins from the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Hallaig , en route to Raasay. The twin peaked mountain just right of centre is Glamaig (775m).

Looking to Ben Tianavaig (413m) on Skye from the ferry to Raasay.