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Claish Plantation

  • Chequered skipper
  • The start of the walk on the outskirts of Acharacle
  • Large red damselfly
  • Four-spotted chaser
  • Golden-ringed dragonfly
  • The forest track through coniferous plantation
  • The forest track with a deciduous fringe
  • Long abandoned cottage
  • Glimpses of Ben Resipole
  • Green tiger beetle
  • One of the lovely small lochans seen on route
  • Chequered skipper awaiting a mate
  • The track divides towards the end and becomes less distinct
  • A small track continues at the end end of the trcak on the OS map
  • Fine views of Ben Resipole and Loch Shiel towards the end of the track
  • The track towards the end
  • The start of the detour to Claish Moss off the main track
  • The detour to Claish Moss is fairly easy to follow
  • Lookout for sundew, an insectivorous plant
  • The detour to Claish Moss passes through wide forest rides
  • Small pearl-bordered fritillary in one of the forest rides
  • Finally, a sight of the moss
  • The fence and deer gate at Claish Moss
  • The old Claish Moss SNH interpretation board
  • Lichens on the old Claish Moss NNR sign
  • Looking over Claish Moss to Ben Resipole

Details

A lovely walk through mainly coniferous woodland on a forest track with some fine glimpses of Ben Resipol on route, and of Loch Shiel towards the end of the track.  There is an optional detour to the edges of Claish Moss approximately 2 miles from the start of the walk.

The forest track supports a mosaic of habitats.  The track is lined with a rich herbaceous flora including wood sorrel, wood rushes, bedstraw, bluebell, self heal, creeping buttercup, meadow buttercup, devil's bit scabious, violets, tormentil, lousewort, common milkwort, eyebright, heath speedwell, yellow bartsia, heather, bell heathers, common and heath spotted orchids, as well as gorse, hard fern and shield ferns.   There are also some fringing of Calluna heath with purple moor grass and bog myrtle, and  some lovely sections through deciduous woodland (mainly rowan and birch, with some hazel, alder, elderberry and whitebeam) that extend up the hillsides.  Coniferous trees include larch, pine and spruce. The wetter sections support willow as well as cotton grass and some lovely bryophyte assemblages.  There also some lovely small ponds that are well worth peering into in search of their aquatic inhabitants.

Look out for a range of dragonflies and damselflies on route, including four spotted chaser, golden-ringed dragonfly and northern emerald, common hawker, as well as species of blue and red damselfly.  There is also the chance of seeing the chequered skipper and fritllaries in late May and early June, as well as whites and browns and day-flying moths throughout the season. 

Listen out for a range of woodland birds, including coniferous specialists as well as warblers, and redstarts.  Look out for evidence of pine marten on route.

The track is well is gravelled for much of the way and included some short ascends and descents.   The track also passes by a derelict cottage long abandoned to vegetation. 

Route

Park off the road by the deer gate to the south of Acharacle.

Head through the deer gate and continue along the track for approximatley 3 miles.

The track eventually divides as marked on the OS map.  Take the left fork for approximatley 100 metres before it evetually peters out.

You can continue along the faint forest/stalkers path for a short way for some good views over Loch Shiel.

Return by the same route.

If you wish to walk to Claish Moss then take a small track/path to the south of the main track at NM704671.  Although the detour passes along defined forest rides, there is no path and walking can be difficult.

The track descends downhill eventually joining a forest ride.  Turn right where the ride joins up with a wider one and follow this for approximately 400m.  This ride meets up with a deer fence and gate giving access to Claish Moss.  The old Scottish Natural Heritage interpretation board can be seen on the moss to the north, though access is not possible.  Walking out onto Claish Moss if difficult and can be dangerous and is not advised.  Return to the main track by retracing your steps.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM690659

Links to useful information

  • Scottish Natural Heritage Claish Moss Leaflet (pdf)
  • Claish Moss Wildlife Page
  • A Walk on The Wildside

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

Forest track

length: 

12 km (7.5 miles)

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer Map 390 - Ardnamurchan

OS Map

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Google Map

Safety

Route details and information are provided in good faith.  All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively.  Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation.  Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy.  Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.

Walking

  • Walking Overview
  • Map of All Walks
  • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
  • Arisaig, Mallaig and Glenfinnan
  • Fort William and Glen Nevis
  • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
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Ardnamurchan Walking Pages

  • Alphabet Trail
  • Aoineadh Mor
  • Ardmolich Woodland Walk
  • Ardnastaing and Scotstown
  • Ardtornish Castle
  • Ariundle Oakwoods
  • Bay MacNeil Beach
  • Bay of Flies
  • Ben Hiant
  • Ben Resipole
  • Blain Burn Circular
  • Bourblaige Cleared Settlement
  • Camas nan Geall
  • Castle Tioram Circular
  • Castle Tioram Viewpoint
  • Claish Plantation
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Ardnastaing
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Polloch
  • Dalilea Walks
  • Dorlin Low Road
  • Fairy Walk
  • Fascadale and Port Eigin-aig
  • Galmadale Dam
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Walk
  • Ghardail Loop
  • Glen Moidart
  • Glenborrodale Nature Trail
  • Glendrian and Port Eigin-aig
  • Greadal Fhinn Chambered Cairn
  • Kentra Bay and The Singing Sands
  • Kentra Moss Circular
  • Kilmory Beach
  • Kinlochaline Low Road
  • Kinlochmoidart Old Road
  • Loch Teacuis Northside
  • Mingary Castle
  • Ockle to The Singing Sands
  • Polloch and Loch Shiel
  • Portuairk and Bay MacNeil
  • Portuairk to Sanna
  • Prince's Walk
  • Rahoy Hills - Black Water
  • Rahoy Hills - Loch Arienas
  • Salen Oakwoods
  • Shielfoot Torr
  • Silver Walk
  • Smirisary Walk
  • Sonachan Wood and Heathland
  • St Columba's Chapel, Drimnin
  • Strontian Community Woodland
  • Tennyson's Waterfall

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