SCO-156-Smirisary Village and White Beaches

Waypoints

(1). Start walk from Smirisary car-park(56.82830; -5.84665). https://w3w.co/reds.shine.professedStart the walk at the small car-park for Smirisary*. With your back to the car-park, go left down the tarred road, veering left at the small turning circle and continuing on an a short section of access to a house situated ahead of you, and below you.

*Note: the car-park is at the end of a single track road, just over 2 km from the hamlet of Glenuig, which is itself just off the A861 road, 13 km from Lochailort, on the route from Lochailort to Acharacle, in Moidart.

(2). Right for footpath to Smirisary village(56.82795; -5.84806). https://w3w.co/printer.kind.abundanceIn just over 100 m, turn right into an access road, signposted for the Smirisary footpath. Go through the pedestrian gate to avoid the cattle grid and follow the path as it initially goes downhill and passes a house on your right side. Carry on walking on the path, now going uphill. (117 m).

(3). Carry straight on - ignoring path through trees to left(56.82716; -5.85323). https://w3w.co/clerk.smart.qualityIn 350 m, ignore the path going sharp left into trees and carry straight on with a fence on your right side. At the end of the fence veer slightly right to take a very short detour to a grassy bank with good views down to your first sight of Smirisary village houses*, the sea, and the islands of Eigg, Rum (behind Eigg). , and Muck. Once you have taken in the view, return to the main path and follow it downhill, bending left and right at various points. (468 m).

*Note: information about the history of Smirisary village is elusive. What is certain is that, in times past, the tiny subsistence crofting community at Smirisary would have been one of the most remote places in Scotland. Even today there are no roads that vehicles can use in the village. All over the west of Scotland these remote little communities stopped being viable as modern life and expectations changed. Probably the last of the original occupants moved on or died off soon after the 2nd World War. However, in recent times a number of the houses have been restored as “back to basics”, “away from it all” weekend and holiday retreats.

(4). Go left on hillside path - above walled garden(56.82732; -5.85726). https://w3w.co/snipe.mammoth.signifiedAfter descending the coastal hillside for 350 m, you will arrive at a t-junction above a walled garden to the right of a white-painted house. An indistinct path goes right but your route is left and downhill, passing the white house on your right side. Keep following the path towards a green meadow (where there are probably sheep grazing). , passing a tree with a simple rope swing (at June 2021). on your right side. Upon reaching the meadow keep to the low, sea-side, looking out for a path on your right. (799 m).

(5). Right off meadow - towards the sea(56.82556; -5.85712). https://w3w.co/slurred.besotted.spoilerIn 200 m, take the path going right, off the meadow, in the direction of the sea and towards another white-painted house ahead of you and a little to your left. (1 km).

(6). Left after boardwalk to follow signed path(56.82575; -5.85779). https://w3w.co/roadshow.leotard.seniorIn less than 100 m, after crossing a short area of boardwalk, go sharp left at a wooden signpost with the words 'Footpath to White Sands'. The path ascends a shallow ridge heading south and passing the white-painted house a little below you now on your right side. Keep going on this (sometimes rough and boggy). path, with various twists and turns, as it proceeds along the coastline for over a kilometre, with the sea always on your right side. (1.1 km).

(7). Arriving at the first Smirisary beach(56.81731; -5.86332). https://w3w.co/crash.sheets.forkliftIn 1.1 km you will have arrived at a small promontory with small islands close by offshore. Here, thaere are 3 beautiful little white sand beaches, two facing north and one facing south. Especially if the weather is fine you will want to spend some time in this special place! When you are ready to move on, re-trace your steps back to your start-point at the Smirisary car-park. (2.2 km).

(8). Finish walk back at the car-park(56.82825; -5.84670). https://w3w.co/reds.shine.professedAfter re-tracing your steps along the coastal path and through the Smirisary village area you will have arrived back at your start-point in the car-park. (4.7 km).