Skye-activity
Luing walking route
Key Facts
- Location: Inner Hebrides
- Size: 1430 hectares
- Terrain: Foreshore of mixed grass, sand and easy rocks with some boggier walking; minor island roads and good tracks
- Access: Ferry
- Height gain: 430 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 359 Oban, Kerrera, and Loch Melfort
- Starting point: Cuan Ferry jetty. GR NM 751 141
Luing island walk summary
The walk is generally peaceful and remote and for most of the southern half of the island is free-range along the foreshore, and follows the heritage trail through the slate mines in the north.
Starting from the ferry terminal in the north, the clockwise route follows a good track along the rural east coast of Luing to the harbourside hamlet of Toberonochy before it merges into a gentle and remote foreshore walk around the southern portion of the island. With a low lying coast and a band of rocks that elevate the central spine of the island the southern half of the island it is a peaceful retreat with stunning views throughout.
Along the west coast the route climbs along the Sound of Luing and affords great views of Mull, Scarba, Fladda and the Garvellachs with Colonsay, Islay and Jura in the far distance. The main village of Cullapool has a welcoming community café and the immense slate quarries and workings that stretch throughout the northern end of the island make for great exploration beneath the surreal ‘slate cliffs’ before returning to the ferry.
A full route description can be found in our book ‘Islandeering: adventures around the edge of Britain’s hidden islands’; the GPX for Luing coastal walk can also be downloaded below.
Walk from the ferry to the slate quarries
A much shorter 5km (return) walk leaves the ferry pier and heads north around Cuan Point, passed the quarry workings, then down the west coast to Cullipool. It is a fairly rugged walk, requiring some navigation over fallen rocks, but rewarded with some fascinating sights and great cakes at the turnaround point.
Free-range walking along the south of Luing
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