The West Highland Hotel is situated in a prominent, elevated position in Mallaig, at the end of The Road to The Isles, being only a short walk away from the railway station and the ferry port with regular sailings to the Isle of Skye and The Small Isles. The hotel retains the traditional charm of an age gone but with comfortable modern en-suite rooms. The West Highland Hotel offers a choice of dining experiences including the stylish Island View Restauarant, The Longe, The West Bar and Conservatory with panoramic views out to the Islands.
Glenborrodale Nature Trail
Details
Glenborrodale on the Ardnamurchan peninsula is the RSPB’s most westerly reserve and managed for its oak woodlands. This is a pleasant walk through deciduous woodland onto heath/moorland on the north shore of Loch Sunart, with excellent views over Loch Sunart.
A good spot for raptors on the hills (golden eagles, merlins), small passerines (redstarts, skylarks, warblers and flycatchers) in the woods and coastal birds (oyster catchers, sandpipers) on the mudflats of Loch Sunart. If you are lucky, you may see signs, or even a glimpse of red squirrel, pine marten, red deer and wild cat. Look out for otter, seals, porpoises on the shore or open waters of Loch Sunart. In Spring, the woodlands are full of wild flowers, including bluebells, primroses, wood anemones and wood sorrel.
Generally on well defined paths, but with a fairly steep ascent and descent and some muddy sections. There is also a section along the road at the end.
Route Details
1. Park at car park at Glenborrodale on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. There is an interpretation board at the car park showing the route and giving some information on the site.
Take the way marked path ascending steeply through Atlantic oak woodland with Calluna-Vacciniun understory and with Erica tetralix in the wetter areas. There is also an abundance of bryophytes, lichens and epiphytic ferns on route. Look back on occasion for excellent views of Loch Sunart, and ahead for views of heather and birch-clad hills.
2. The path cuts through an open grassy area with young birch encroachment and bracken in places. Keep right where the path diverges. Alternatively, take the short detour on the left to a viewpoint, and return by the same route.
3. The walk soon begins to descend into a very boggy area characterized by Calluna and tussock grasses in the slightly drier areas, and Erica tertalix, bog myrtle (Myrica gale), sedges and rushes, pondweed (Potamogeton species) and bryophytes in the wetter areas. There are some boardwalk sections on route. Look out for dragonflies, such as the endemic Highland darter (Sympetrum nigrescens) and the bog pool specialist, northern emerald (Somatochlora artica).
4. At the end of the boardwalk section, the path passes by a steep sided ravine, a wonderful microhabitat composed of mosses, liverworts and ferns, shaded by oak and hazel. The path begins to descend, staying with the stream for a short distance. This section of the walk affords excellent views of Loch Sunart.
5. The route then descends through a fine oak woodland strewn with an abundance of bryophytes and lichens (with particularly well developed Lobarion communities), passing by a fence line. This section can be very slippery and tricky to negotiate.
6. At the bottom of the path, turn left on the road. Walk along the road back to the car park admiring the coastal views and wildlife on route.
Location
starting grid ref:
NM601608
grade:
- moderate
terrain:
path with steep ascent/descent
length:
2.6km (1.6 miles)
Type:
- circular
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.
