Walk: The lost broch of Caisteal Grugaig

📌 Letterfearn, Highland
★★★

Ready to go on an adventure? A lost, iron age broch lies hidden away in lush woodland on the little-visited, south side of Loch Alsh, providing the fascinating highlight of this intrepid little hike from Totaig. The double-layered walls of this defensive structure (named Caisteal Grùgaig, or Dun Totaig) still stand to a height of several feet despite the interior being partly overtaken by ferns, and several fine architectural features stand out including the entrance lintel and staircases within the walls. The broch is situated on the side of a low hill, giving an outlook across Loch Alsh towards Dornie; there are also glimpses of Eilean Donan Castle from an unusual angle lower down. If time permits, continue up the increasingly overgrown track for the best views looking back, and as far as Creag an t-Sagairt for a distant shot of the Skye Bridge.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on minor road 1 mi north of Letterfearn

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 877251

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.267424,-5.521986

❌ No public transport within 1 mi

🚗 Layby for a couple of cars only – don’t block passing places

📝 Key info

▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 300 m | ⌛ 1.5-2 hr

Features: ⭕ Caisteal Grugaig; ★★★ (Dun Totaig); 📷 Creag an t-Sagairt viewpoint

⬤ Moderate | Tarmac (mostly private) road to Totaig. Fairly good track / path for remainder of route, becoming narrower and partly overgrown the further you walk. Short detour to broch is on a steep, rough path.

➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – Totaig road end – Caisteal Grùgaig (involves short detour from main path) – Creag an t-Sagairt viewpoint – return by outward route

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Ripe wild raspberries, unripe blackberries; lots of slugs!

Weather: Sunny intervals, dry, light winds.

August 2019

Caisteal Grugaig ★★★