The Kiltaraglen track is located just on the outskirts of Portree. With three points of access it is well suited to people living in Portree itself. It is an access track for a couple of properties so is in good condition. Well loved by local dog walkers and those of us just wanting an easy stroll.
Location of the Kiltaraglen Track
You can access the Kiltaraglen Track from a public footpath on Staffin Road although there is no parking here. There is also an access point in the corner of the housing estate at Cearn Romasdail. We chose to park at the third access point as there is some parking there. Known by locals as the Road to Nowhere, this is at the second roundabout on Rathad Na h-Airigh. This is behind the Co-op on Dunvegan Road. In the future there are plans to complete the Road to Nowhere as a link road to Staffin Road. However, whilst it is still unfinished we will take advantage of the situation and use the dead end for parking.
Access to the track
From the car we walked along the abandoned road for a short distance. It is very easy going here as it has a tarmac surface. Wheels of all descriptions will glide nicely over this surface. After a short distance the road ends. on the right you will see the stepped path coming down from the housing estate. Ahead is now grassy and a little raised up from the road surface. Melanie stepped up the kerb but Sarah went straight ahead and round a rougher grassy track. It was bumpy for her rollator but she managed it on her own. The next few metres of grass path are quite eroded but with minimal help Sarah got to the gate.
Access here is through the traditional kissing gate set up which usually means we have to fold up the wheels and carry them. Not here! This kissing gate has been made wide enough and deep enough to pass large items such as wheelchairs and rollators through without folding them up. We hope to see more gates like this in the future. Once through the gate you will see the Kiltaraglen track up ahead of you.
Walking the track
The Kiltaraglen track is a made road surface comprising of compacted gravel and small stones. Turn left as you reach track and this leads away up the glen, right would take you to Staffin Road. Vehicles do use this track as it is access to an electricity sub-station and a couple of houses at the far end. Due to this the track is kept in good repair. However this does mean that the potholes are filled with loose stones that make their way onto the track. Quite a few got under Sarah’s wheels so there was a bit of jiggling going on. One section was quite rocky as the track went over some surface bedrock. For about 5 metres Sarah needed Melanie’s help to avoid the worst of the rocks.
The biggest hurdle we found was near the electricity sub-station. Here there is a cattle grid without a pedestrian access gate to the side. Melanie lifted Sarah’s rollator over whilst Sarah used the fence post to help her walk very carefully over the edge. If this isn’t possible for you then this maybe the extent of possibilities on the Kiltaraglen track.
We did not walk as far as the first house on the track but we could see it in the distance. You can chose how far you walk just leave enough energy to retrace your steps as you return on the same route. The views on your return are simply stunning from Ben Tianavaig to the Red Hills and finally the Cuillin Ridge. We can see why it is so popular with locals and dog walkers alike.
There is a little bit of history about the name Kiltaraglen here
We went along this route with my very low chassis mobility scooter. It was very lovely, and peaceful, and thoroughly worth it!
Following Mel&Sarah’s instructions, the kissing gate area was tricky to reach, and had a very deep puddle round it as well; my partner wheeled the scooter as I leant on it, both up to and along the grass verge and through the gate, and I was able to manage. We went along the path until maybe 100m from the first house, and the rockiness of the track, which Mel&Sarah had warned us about, meant I had to get off my scooter several more times. I could only just about manage this, but only because of my partner’s help… I think the answer is for me to get a more robust scooter! We gave up just when we reached a wee burn that was chattering and bubbling away, and in the distance were the Cuillins; we had a picnic, and it was idyllic!
Just a bit of maintenance from the council would make this track much more accessible to more people! I’m not calling for the world to be tarmacked over, but getting up to the gate and filling in the puddle area would be very helpful.
When we went back, we went past Kiltaraglen B&B and on to Staffin Rd, which was easier all round as I didn’t have to get off the scooter at all, but as Mel&Sarah say, there doesn’t seem to be a parking area. It’s a bit of a trek to the centre of Portree along Staffin Rd, but there’s a pavement (although I don’t know if this goes the whole way). If you time things carefully you could get the 57a from Portree Sq getting off at Kiltaraglen B&B.
Thank you so much Sarah and Mel for the fantastic detail, and for finding such a peaceful and accessible spot, and telling us how to make the most of it!
Good to hear that despite all the access issues with this walk we found you still enjoyed it and made the most of it. It’s a lovely spot to be one a nice day.
I’m definitely Melanie though not Mel!