📌 Portree, Isle of Skye
★★★
On a summer’s day the capital of Skye, Portree, can feel a little claustrophobic. Need to escape the crowds without travelling too far? We’d recommend the two-mile circumnavigation of Ben Chracaig. This craggy hillock overlooks the northeast side of the village, and is owned by the Clan MacNeacail Society – this is their historic homeland. The start of the walk is itself within easy walking distance of the village centre. Half of the route follows an increasingly rugged coast path, culminating in a surprisingly wild section with views north to the rocky summit of Creag Mhòr with cliffs plunging nearly 300 vertical metres into the Sound of Raasay. A short ascent then gains the northern slopes of Ben Chracaig for the inland return, which conveniently passes one of the access drives to the Cuillin Hills Hotel. Book a table at the their restaurant: aside from the (obviously) grand views of the Cuillin Hills in clear weather, the food on our Sunday lunchtime visit was exceptional and (whisper it quietly!) keenly priced by Skye’s standards.
📷 Chronological photo guide
View of Portree from Scorrybreac Boathouse near the start 
Scorrybreac Boathouse, Isle of Raasay beyond 
The woodland path is wide at first 
View over Portree from the Clan Nicolson flagpole 
View east to Raasay 
Murdo’s Well 
Near the headland at Sgeir Mòr 
View north along the wilder, eastern side of Ben Chracaig 
Views of Raasay 
Looking back 
View ahead to Creag Mhòr 
Ben Chracaig looming above 
Climbing away from the coast 
Inland return 
Woodland on the return leg 
Cuillin Hills Hotel
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Scorrybreac Road, 0.5 mi east of Portree town centre, Skye
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 488439
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.415382,-6.184726
🚌 Bus to Portree
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 160 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 🌊 Scorrybreac coastline
⬤ Moderate | Clear path throughout except for tarmac road for last section. Some sections are rough, steep or narrow, particularly when vegetation is at its summer height.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – follow coast path east via Clan Nicolson flag – leave coast at 🧭 NG 497440 – return around north side of Ben Chracaig – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Gannets, seagulls, shags; dogs.
Weather: Overcast with a little drizzle which became heavier later in the route. Light winds.
August 2019
