Skip to main content
Wild About Lochaber

Wild About Lochaber

where great adventures begin...

Search form

Menu

  • Home
  • Explore
    • Wild Lochaber
    • Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morvern
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe and Loch Leven
    • The Road To The Isles
    • #WildLochaber Photo Gallery
  • Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Caravan & Campsites
    • Hotels and B&Bs
  • Walking
    • Map of All Walks
    • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
    • Arisaig Mallaig and Glenfinnan
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
  • Wildlife
    • Map of Wildlife Sites
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Habitats
  • Things To Do
    • Activity Providers
    • Beaches
    • Castles
    • Destinations
    • Gardens
    • Geology
    • Geopark Rock Route
    • Historic Attractions
    • Museums and Interpretation
    • Railways
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Hotspots
  • Travel
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Points
    • Ferries
    • Petrol Stations
    • The Caledonian Sleeper
  • What's On
    • Calendar
    • Arts, Culture and Community Events
    • Family Friendly Events
    • Walking Events
    • Wildlife & Geology Events
    • Events on Discover Glencoe
    • Road to The Isles & Ardnamurchan
  • Blogs
    • Ardnamurchan Area Blogs
    • Glencoe Area Blogs
    • Lochaber Blogs
    • West Coast Island Blogs
    • Wild About Lochaber Blog

Fascadale and Port Eigin-aig

  • White-tailed eagle
  • Fascadale - the start of the walk
  • The route crosses the River Fascadale
  • Looking back towards Fascadale Bay
  • Red deer
  • Lochan Dubh on the Ardnamurchan peninsula
  • The path is partially waymarked by some posts
  • A second small lochan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula
  • Looking down to where the path meets up with the Glendrian and Port Eigin-aig paths
  • Port Eigin-aig on the Ardnamurchan peninsula
  • Looking out towards Eigg from Port Eigin-aig
  • Kelp on the tide line at Port Eigin-aig on the Ardnamurchan peninsula

Details

A lovely walk along a glen from Fascadale Bay to the shingle inlet of Port Eigin-aig on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, with good chances of seeing raptors and red deer.

There are some lovely views of the surrounding low hills of the Glen, dominated by Meall an Fhir-eoin and the surrounding crags on the left (part of Ardnamurchan ring dyke system), as well as intermittent coastal views of the Small Isles through gaps in the hills on the right.

The bedrock geology of the region is volcanic, and includes the Palaeogene Ardnamurchan Central Complex Agglomerate, Quartz-Gabbro and Quartz-Microgabbro, with small exposures of basaltic lava from the Mull Lava Group.  The southern hills are part of Centre 3 of Ardnamurchan Ring-dyke Complex, whilst some the northern hills and coast are part of Centre 1, consisting of granophyric granite. 

The route takes you through a short section of rough pasture by Fascadale Bay, and then across wet heath and bog towards the far end of the wide glen.  The heath vegetation is dominated by heather (Calluna vulgaris) with bell heathers (Erica tetralix and E. cinerea), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea ), bog myrtle (Myrica gale), bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) and carnivorous sundews (Drosera spp) and butterworts (Pinguicula spp).  There are also a variety of sedges and rushes, including deer grass (Scirpus cespitosus) and slender (Carex lasopcarpa), according to local conditions, as well as a few scattered contorted oaks along the stream side towards the far end of the glen.

The route crosses over some small water courses and by two lochans; Lochan Dubh, and a lovely smaller islet-studded lochan, fed back Slocdh Dorcha.  Lochan Dubh is fringed and almost infilled by Phragmites australis (Common reed).  The other lochan with its heath covered mini islets supports bog pondweed (Potamogeton polygonifolius), bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile).

The route takes you to the small inlet of Port Eigin-aig, where cattle from the islands where landed on the mainland by the cattle drovers.  This beautiful shingle beach, with its complex and green, grey and purpled hued geology is part of the Ben Hiant intrusion, with some Jurassic sedimentary shales and limestone.   The outcrops and boulders are strewn with orange, white, grey, green and black crustiose lichens and green fruticose lichens, with thrift (Armeria maritima) and heather (Calluna and Erica) on rocky ledges.  The waves crashing against the barnacle and limpet studded rocky shoreline and against the shingle beach make for a truly mesmeric experience.    The views to Skye, Eigg, Muck and Rhum are magical on a bright hazy day. 

Look out for raptors and corvids (including golden eagles and ravens) on the crags, red deer on the hills, and white-tailed eagle, rock pipits, otters, seals and cetaceans on the coast. 

The path is waymarked by wooden post but is often indistinct.  You will also need to cross some small water courses.  The path can be very boggy and waterproof boots and walking stick recommended.  Some map reading skills may be required.

Route Details

1. Park in the large gravelled car parking area at the end of Fascadale, by the cattle grid, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. 

Take the track down to Fascadale Lodge and go through the metal gate on the right.  Pass through another metal gate and out onto Fascadale Bay. 

Follow the grassy/stony path over rough pasture down the hillside and across the river (River Fascadale) using stepping stones (this may be a little tricky at high water).  

2. Once across the river, head uphill keeping left, skirting by some clumps of birch and some isolated birch  trees clinging to the far bank.

3. Cross the dyke and veer left of two craggy knolls, as marked on OS map.   The path is a little indistinct at this stage.

The path varies on route from being well marked to indistinct; in the latter case look out for the wooden waymarker posts.  Navigation is assisted by locating the marker post ahead, where possible. 

The route heads up the glen, keeping close to the flanks of low hills on the right. 

4. The route passes by two lochans and then through a pair rusty gate post.  After the second lochan, the route skirts by a stream which becomes obvious just before you begin to ascend. 

5. Veer right (north) either at a ford, or just before, on a bracken-trampled path to head towards the small inlet of Port Eigin-aig.  The route follows a stream heading north on a well defined path, descending to the lovely shingle inlet.  Lovely views are afforded on Skye, Eigg, Muck and Rum on a fine day.  The beach is a great place for a picnic.

6. Return by the same route. 

Alternatively you can continue the walk onto Glendrian (there and back) if you wish to take a longer walk.  In the latter case, take the south-west path (veering right) at ford on your return.  However, this route requires considerable map reading skills and should only be done on a clear day.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM502707

Links to useful information

  • Glendrian and Port Eigin-aig Walk
  • Ardnamurchan Day Trips - Ockle, Swordle and The North Coast

grade: 

  • moderate

terrain: 

boggy path

length: 

7km (4.4 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

Pine martens are regular visitors to Mingarry Lodges
Mingarry Lodges

A Great Place for Close Encounters with Red Squirrels, Pine Martens and other Highland Wildlife

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

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

>>

Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

>>

Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

>>

Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Photos and Content Copyright ©2011-2023 Wild About Lochaber - All Rights Reserved

  • Wild About Lochaber on YouTube
  • Wild About Lochaber on Pinterest
  • Wild About Lochaber on Instagram
  • Wild About Lochaber on FaceBook
  • Wild About Lochaber on Twitter
Share/Save