Geo-Trips :: Big Sand to Rubha Reidh
Gairloch
A drive from Big Sand, Sat, 22 Jun 2013 by Nigel Brown
Out on the coast from Gairloch lies the crofting community of Big Sand, and the start of the road up the coast to Melvaig and beyond. I was very familiar with the area just south of Big Sand; Sand Holiday Centre at Little Sand Farm is a favourite camping site of mine. However, I hardly knew the road north. I was in the mood for a relaxed day of exploring, so it was time to try it.
It was one of those dull days on the west coast of Scotland when the light has a quality all of its own. Others may see it as simply dull; I like it. So I had my trip, stopping for pics as views opened up. The scenery is superb and well worth the effort.
The trip was undertaken during a period when the then owner of the accomodation at the lighthouse was conducting an aggressive campaign to discourage the general public from using the road beyond Melvaig, ultimately to no avail. The status is a private road open to full public use, and anyone is free to repeat this trip.
Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
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North Erradale from the Glac na Daraich
Looking over rough damp moorland to the scattered community.
The River Sand
With Meall Mòr in the distance.
Telephone box and post box, Big Sand
End of the road at Big Sand
Tracks give access to the shore and other areas, but there is only space here for... more
The track to North Erradale
A pleasant walk on a fine day, with good views from its summit.
The road into Big Sand
Straight, like a lot of roads in crofting townships.
Bridge over the Allt na Fhèidh
With a deteriorating surface, similar to the one further south.
The Rubha Rèidh road heading north
An up and down affair, which may create problems with some vehicles.
In recent... more
Bridge over the Allt a' Bhùtha
Not the most confidence-inducing structure.
The Rubha Rèidh road
Melvaig
Looking over the southern part of the scattered community.
Track heading for the shore
With Skye in the distance.
The Allt a' Gamhna below the Melvaig road
Following a deep cut down to the sea.
The Allt a' Gamhna above the Melvaig road
With the one-time route of the road visible.
The beach on Seana Chamas
A superb-looking beach, but not the easiest to access.
Coast below Sidhean Mòr
Approaching Peterburn from the south
The road descends a small, narrow valley.
North Erradale
Seen from the Melvaig road. The north end of Skye can be seen in the distance.
Houses in North Erradale
Looking down on the western part of the community.
The Melvaig road leaving North Erradale
Main street, North Erradale
Illustrating the difference between a crofting community and a traditional village.
Small beach near Rubha Rèidh
Rubha Rèidh lighthouse
With the Outer Hebrides just visible under cloud on the horizon.
Road junction near Rubha Rèidh
The track leading off right leads to a flat open area, which looks as though it... more
Road and telegraph poles
Both heading for Rubha Rèidh.
All images © Nigel Brown and available under a
Creative Commons licence 
.
