Ben Atekil Wind Farm Track

This week’s walk took us to the Ben Atekil Wind Farm track near Edinbane. A very accessible track which is a little of the beaten track for Skye. This track is most definitely accessible for both wheelchairs and off road scooters. You can walk as far as you like before you turn around and head back to your vehicle. A perfect spot for some peace, quiet and fresh air.

Getting to the Ben Atekil Wind Farm Track

The Ben Atekil Wind Farm is west of Edinbane on the A850 heading towards Dunvegan. The entrance is on the left hand side if you are heading towards Dunvegan. You can park off the road at the wide entrance to the track. Please do park considerately as this track is used by vehicles accessing the wind farm. In fact, when we were heading back to the car at the end of our walk we were passed by a couple of vans of workers knocking off for the day.

The Ben Atekil Wind Farm Track

There is a large gate to allow vehicular access but this is locked. Next to it is a smaller, unlocked gate which was big enough for Sarah to get her walker through without needing to fold it up. You would also be able to get a wheelchair, mobility scooter or pram through this same gate. At the gate is a map of the wind farm and forest paths Be sure to have a look as there are many paths to chose from once you start walking.

The surface of the track is made of stone/gravel but it is quite well packed due to the vehicles using it regularly. Therefore, while it was a bit bumpy in places, Sarah did not need Melanie’s help to get her walker over it. We have made a short video of how we got on here.

After a while walking through the woodland plantation the path branched off and a nearby map showed us that there is scope for many other walks here. However, this time we veered right which appeared to be the path towards the wind turbines. In fact, in the distance we could see their blades turning slowly and beyond them we could see MacLeod’s Tables.

The track does not have too steep an incline and apart from the slightly bumpy surface is relatively easy going. After walking for about 1km we had still not reached the wind turbines but as we were getting tired by then we retraced our path back to the car.

As we headed back to the car a couple of work vehicles came slowly down the track. We moved to the side to allow them past allowing Sarah to have a wee rest on the seat of her walker. Seeing her sitting there one of the workers even slowed down to check we were okay. As we’d been walking for quite a while by then Sarah was tempted to ask for a lift but instead she persevered.

The Edinbane Wind Farm

Be sure not to confuse the Ben Atekil Wind Farm with the Edinbane Wind Farm. The Edinbane wind farm runs from Upper Edinbane to Balmeanach and we have walked part of that route here. The two routes don’t actually link up despite their close proximity to each other!