Skye and Lochalsh trail set to go.

On Tuesday 12 April, The Highland Council Rangers in Skye and Lochalsh will set out on a 96 mile (155 km) guided journey through Skye and Lochalsh, following the route piloted by Cameron McNeish in “The Skye Trail” through Skye then crossing via the community owned Glenelg Ferry and continuing for 11 miles (18km) between Glenelg and Corran on the mainland.

The route, undertaken in eight one-day sections between April and September last year has been refined and extended and takes in stunning cliff-top scenery between Duntulm and Flodigarry, the iconic landslip areas of the Quiraing and Storr on the Trotternish Ridge. The trail passes through Braes, in 1882 the scene of a battle between local crofters, protesting at the loss of their traditional grazing rights and 50 policemen drafted in from Glasgow, and on to Sligachan. From Sligachan we journey through John Muir Trust lands, beneath the Cuillin mountains to Kilmarie and from Elgol to Torrin. Then via the cleared townships of Suisnish and Boreraig to Kilchrist, and out to Broadford, by the Marble Line path, a converted industrial railway track.

Two new sections of the route add another two days to the journey: first from Broadford to Kylerhea via the former cattle drovers’ road and then from the ferry slip at Glenelg over the hills to Corran, taking in well preserved Iron Age forts and the Glenelg barracks, reputedly built with stone robbed from Dun Telve, one of the two brochs in Gleann Beag.

Senior Countryside Ranger, John Phillips, said: “Building on experience gained over the last year with the Skye Trail, we have extended this world class journey to encompass more of the area we cover as Highland Council Rangers. The Skye and Lochalsh Trail offers people a chance to explore the area with experienced guides. The scenery is unforgettable. The geology, history and biodiversity of the area make this a journey well worth undertaking.”

Places on these walks are limited. A good degree of fitness is required, particularly for the upland sections. To book and for further information on these and other guided walks and events offered by the Highland Council Rangers in Skye and Lochalsh, contact John Phillips on 01471 820 526 (email john.phillips@highland.gov.uk) or Sandy MacPhee on 01471 820 527 (email sandy.macphee@highland.gov.uk).

Details of this and other Countryside Ranger led guided walks in the Highlands can be found in the new 2011-12 events programme on the Highland Council website at http://www.highland.gov.uk/countrysiderangerevents.htm.