It is a short walk to the ruins of Dun Fiadhairt just north of Dunvegan. Here you find the remains of an Iron Age Broch some 17 metres in diameter. The structure reveals internal and external broch walls and doorways. Not a walk for wheelchair users but only a mile or so for those wanting to stretch their legs. If there has been heavy rain the ground is very very boggy so maybe visit in drier weather.
How to get to Dun Fiadhairt
Firstly you need to find yourself in Dunvegan in the north-west corner of Skye. From Dunvegan follow the road signed for Dunvegan Castle and the Coral Beach at Claigan. Continue on this road past the castle until it starts following the loch side. In just over a mile the road reaches a small causeway between to small lochs. There is space to park just before the causeway on the right hand side of the road. Look out for migrating birds and wildfowl on the loch to the right. Whooper swans are often spotted here.
The path to Dun Fiadhairt
From your vehicle carefully walk across the causeway and take the gate on the left hand side of the road. This is a farm track across the moorland. You walk in a small valley between two wee hills. Keep following the track, ahead of you Loch Dunvegan comes into view. Looking to your left you will see Dunvegan Castle in the distance. The track leads down to a small sea inlet and a narrow neck of land at An Dubh Aird (The Black High Place). Walk across the head of the inlet towards the rising ground.
The path here is now fainter but there are usually sheep tracks you can follow. The going is a little harder underfoot, not particularly good if you are unsteady on your feet. However once you make your way up this small bank you are rewarded with views of Dun Fiadhairt. The ground between you and the broch is now a reed bed and is very very wet after rainfall. Make your way carefully across the reeds to the broch, appreciating the fine views around you.
Take your time and explore the ruins of Dun Fiadhairt. Imagining what it must have been like to have lived here nearly 3000 years ago during the Iron Age.
Exploring the peninsula
When you have explored the broch take some time to explore other areas of the peninsula. There are tracks leading down to the shores of Loch Dunvegan. Here you are overlooking the islands where the famous common seal colonies live. Make sure you have binoculars with you. You should see the seals all year round but there will be significantly more between April and September. If you want to get closer there are boat trips running from Dunvegan Castle during these months. There is also a lot of bird life living on these islands and skerries so you may be sat a while with binoculars identifying everything you see.
On the north edge of the peninsula looking out to the Western Isles you can reach Camalaig Bay. A tranquil rocky cove, with magnificent views up the Loch Dunvegan coastline. Exploring around here I found huge rock pools a fair distance back from the shoreline full of rain water. My dogs thought they had a private swimming pool. This whole area of land has sheep grazing on it, and sometimes cattle, so keep your dogs on a lead around the livestock.
When you are ready to return to your vehicle just head back to the track you came down on at the inlet and follow it back to the road. You could walk to Dun Fiadhairt and back in an hour easily. However if you want to explore, watch the wildlife and relax, leave yourself plenty of time. On my last visit I took my lunch with me and was gone about 3-4 hours.
As only two thirds of this walk is on a track and the rest over rougher ground you will need to decide whether this walk is for you. If you don’t think you are very fit then you will probably be ok as there are no steep inclines or demanding areas. If you are unsteady on your feet it may pose a few problems when you reach the rougher ground. I’ll leave that decision to you!