📌 Tongue, Highland
★★★★
Prominently set overlooking the Kyle of Tongue, Caisteal Bharraich (pronounced “Varrich”) is a former seat of the Mackay Clan, overlying an older Norse (Viking) fort. It provides an unusually straightforward walk by local standards, with an excellent – and largely surfaced – path all the way to the top. On a clear day there are superb views up and down the estuary, over Tongue village, and south towards Ben Loyal and Ben Hope.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Ben Loyal Hotel, just off A836, Tongue village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 591567
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.475392,-4.417074
🚌 Rare bus to Tongue
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌛ 1 hr
Features: 🏰 Caisteal Bharraich
⬤ Easy | Excellent path, though with sustained ascent to castle.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – footbridge over Rhian Burn – Caisteal Bharraich – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Woodland birds, grey heron fishing in the Rhian Burn.
Weather: Overcast after an earlier rain shower, light wind, about 10°C.
May 2021
Also on this walk
Caisteal Bharraich ★★★
🌍 Location
📌 1 mi west of Tongue
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 581567
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.475657,-4.435337
🚌 Rare bus to Tongue (1 mi)
🚗 See info for walk route above
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 There is no easier access to the castle than by the walk route described above.
