Walks | North-West
Slaggan
Start: Laide - Mellon Udrigle road, by Loch na Beiste
Description: Walk on land rover track across the peninsula to a ruined village
OS Map: #19, Gairloch & Ullapool
Multimap: Online Map
The Slaggan walk starts from the Mellon Udrigle road, just about 3/4 of a mile past Achgarve. There is no parking space, so park close to the gate that leads onto the track, without blocking the access as local crofters may need in. The gate can be identified as leading onto a fairly rough jeep track, and being just behind a small hillock from a small lochan. Watch out for Highland Cattle at this point!
The local story is that the Loch is haunted, it's name Loch Na Beiste means loch of the beast. It is said that this beast stole and ate cattle from surrounding fields, and the local people decided to do something about it. They sent for a ship of lime from Skye, and on delivery, the locals being too scared, two men from the ship were sent onto the loch in a small rowing boat to probe the depths of the lochan and pour in the lime. Since that day the beast has never been seen.
The land rover track leads from the gate, heading West across towards the far coast of the peninsula. The going is fairly level, and passes a couple of small lochans. Eventually you will come upon the ruins of the village, Slaggan. You can continue on to the bay and beach where you can eat your lunch in isolated peace. Take care if you feel like a dip in the bay, the tides can cause strong rip currents. Return to the start by the same route.