Located in the centre of Broadford the Irishman’s Point walk is short, at just 1.25km to the point. It can be easily broken down into a smaller walk if the last section over grassy moorland is beyond your ability. It is a path that the Disabled Ramblers used to use in their off road electric scooters and chairs. Known in Gaelic as Rubh an Eireannaich.
How did the Point get it’s name?
In 1862, the Irishman, a paddle steamer was sailing from Liverpool to Portree to pick up sheep. When she was off Broadford she encountered heavy fog and ran aground on Sgeir Thraid, a skerry north of Scalpay. No lives were lost and the crew rowed to safety at Irishman’s Point. A beacon now stands on the skerry and it seems this event may have led to its erection.
Getting to Irishman’s Point
There is a large car park in Broadford near the Co-op. It is on your left if you are coming from Portree and your right if you are coming from Kyle. You can park here to start the walk. It is free parking, some bays are marked out and elsewhere it is a free for all. The public toilets are conveniently located across the road from the car park. Here you will find a dedicated disabled toilet.
The Walk to Irishman’s Point
There is a path leading through the gardens on the opposite side of the car park from the Co-op. This is the start of the walk. On the left hand side there is a dropped kerb giving access to the footpath through the gardens. There are many benches here looking out over the bay. You may want to rest here and enjoy the view when you return from your walk.
Once through the gardens the path takes you over a bridge and there are no steps to worry about here so Sarah sped across. However, once over the bridge the path consists of a relatively compacted stone surface to the Pier. Some stretches are smoother than others and it is not impossible. Melanie took on her usual role of helping Sarah get her walker over the bigger stones The path is a coastal path so the fantastic views over Broadford Bay made it worth the effort. Soon you reach the Pier and a short stretch of tarmac. Keep following the track straight ahead of you through the gates. Keep a look out for any pier traffic turning from behind you on the left, it is a working pier.
Corry Lodge
The gravel road now takes you through the old Corry Lodge Estate and you soon pass an abandoned building that hints at a previous grandeur. This is the former lodge coach house and steading. From here the road surface becomes much looser and bumpier. This was another walk that involved a lot of weaving back and forth to find the smoother sections. This section was much harder for Sarah and the wheels as stones kept jamming under the wheels. In a short while the road forks left and right, take the right hand fork heading gently down hill. You see a grassy track running to the right of the road up ahead…this is your path.
However, take care as there are places along the edge of the path that have taken a dive into the sea. A fence now prevents walkers from suffering the same fate but be careful not to trip.
Further on the path passes other inhabited properties so be respectful of these inhabitants as you pass.
Past these houses the path climbs up onto the point and as Sarah was tiring from battling with the stones she rested on her walker and enjoyed the view. Here the path becomes grassier and meanders over the Point. Melanie went ahead to check it out but didn’t get all the way to the Irishman’s Point this time. We had a lunch booking so time was tight! Just below where Sarah was resting was access to a small sand and shingle beach area which we will explore on another visit.
The Walk Back
Once Sarah had caught her breath we turned and headed back the way we had come. On the way back when you get to the Pier it is possible to leave the path and switch to the road which runs alongside the path here. This we did for a smoother surface for the wheels, but be aware that there is no pavement so do be on the lookout for traffic. This road serves houses, the pier and the Youth Hostel so does have a bit of traffic on it.
This is another walk that has its challenges but therefore also has its rewards. We do like a walk with a view!
