Introduction
This is a great walk that can be started from the cottage (if you are you ok with boggy walks), or by walking down the main road towards Stein and then taking the forest road over, or alternatively drive round to Gillen past Knockbreck Primary school (possibly the best playground view in the country) and park before the road end. Maps of all three routes are below.
MAP KEY
Walk from the Cottage
Drive to Gillen and walk
Walk main road taking forest track
Optional cliff top loop
The walking is pretty straight forward using existing vehicle tracks. At certain times of year these can be wet and muddy. I would recommend wearing walking boots or wellies.
Route Specific Instructions
The Walk from the Cottage (~1:15hrs one way) for the first 1/3 of the walk is boggy and not on an established route/track – once you hit the forest road you’ll be fine. To start this walk down the driveway towards the ruined cottage. Turn right, then through the gate up the hill following the track to a gate (caution – electric fence maybe on), open and go through. Turn right and follow the fence along to the forest road and turn left. The walk is then very straightforward to the top of the headland (see map). Go past the large farm building and follow the track which steeply descends to Loch Lossait.
The red route (10min drive + ~30mins walk one way) you must drive (or walk – its a nice loop and the road is rarely busy) to Gillen. There is an obvious space to park here next to the last few cottages. Walk straight on and join the orange route (Walk from the Cottage) down to Loch Lossait beach.
The green route (~40mins +30mins Orange one way)- walk down from the Cottage to the main road and turn left towards Stein. Walk along the road until you see an obvious forest track leading up the hill on the right. Join the Orange walk above.
The pink cliff top loop is a nice extension (~1hr) to all the walks which uses a forest road to access the cliff top walk which is sign posted. I prefer to ignore the first sign and go to the second one near the actual cliff top (as per the map). Walking back along the cliff is stunning with views out to the Ascrib Islands and the Outer Hebrides. I’ve often seen white tailed eagles on these cliffs.