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Dorlin Low Road

  • The River Shiel
  • Castle Tioram at low tide
  • Castle Tioram at low tide
  • Look out for otters in Loch Moidart when the tide is in
  • An old ice house on the private road from Dorlin
  • the rapids where the River Shiel joins Loch Moidart
  • The rapids at the end of The River Shiel
  • Look out for red squirrels in the woods along the Low Dorlin Road
  • The River Shiel
  • a raft of goldeneye on the River Shiel
  • A long tailed tit in the alder trees by The River Shiel
  • The white gate - the end, or an alternate start point for the walk

Details

An easy and enjoyable walk from Castle Tioram at Dorlin along the banks of the River Shiel with good opportunities for spotting wildlife. 

The walk gives an opportunity to enjoy heathland, woodland and coastal habitat. At low tide the large sandy beach by Castle Tioram is a good place for beachcombing and rockpooling. You can also walk to the historic castle.

There are good opportunities for birding along the walk, with a variety of waterfowl, curlew, oystercatcher, heron and also a chance of spotting sea eagle, golden eagle, otter and red squirrel.     Look out for the colouful patchworks of lichens on the trees and rocks on route.

Route Details

1. Park at the Castle Tioram carpark and walk along the small private road running along side Loch Moidart. Pass the small jetty and by some houses to the end of the tarmac road.  Enjoy the fabulous view of the loch, resplendent both at low and high tide, scanning for otters, waterfowl and waders (depending on the tide).     There are some lovely views of the suurounding hills, crags and  the islands.

You can take a small diversion at the end of the road to the rapids where the River Shiel joins Loch Moidart to look for dippers.  The River Shiel is a popular spot for salmon and trout fishing (permit required).

2. Head onto a gated track through woodland onto the banks of the River Shiel.  Look out for golden eye and mergansers on the loch.   

3. Walk until you reach a small white gate at the end of the track.  There are lovely views of Loch Shiel and the surrounding hills and crags.  Retrace your steps.

The walk can be done as a pleasant level 'there and back walk' or made into a circular walk by turning left through the white gate at the end of the track and following the road back to Castle Tioram.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM664720

Links to useful information

  • Highland Council Core Path Network (pdf download)
  • Ardnamurchan Day Trips - Castle Tioram, The Siver Walk and Dorlin

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

track

length: 

4.6km (2.9 miles)

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer Map 390 - Ardnamurchan

OS Map

>>view map in full window

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
Booking.com

Holiday Cottages in Fort William and Lochaber

The Stronlossit Inn
The Stronlossit Inn

The Stronlossit Inn - an authentic Scottish Country Inn Style Hotel

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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Wildlife

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Activities

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Road to The Isles

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Day Trips

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