Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
feated by Hanoverian government forces. Among those fighting on the rebel side were
clansmen led by the famous outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, and 300 soldiers loaned by the
king of Spain; the mountain above the battlefield is still called Sgurr nan Spainteach (Peak
of the Spaniard).
At Shiel Bridge, home to a famous wild goat colony, a narrow side road goes over the
Bealach Ratagain (pass) to Glenelg, where there's a community-run ferry to Skye. From
the Bealach Ratagain, there are great views of the Five Sisters of Kintail peaks. From pal-
indromic Glenelg round to the road-end at Arnisdale, the scenery becomes even more
spectacular, with great views across Loch Hourn to the remote Knoydart peninsula. Along
this road are two fine ruined Iron Age brochs - Dun Telve and Dun Troddan.
Activities
There are several good walks in the area, including the two-day, cross-country hike from
Morvich to Cannich via scenic
Gleann Lichd
and Glen Affric SYHA (35 miles). A tra-
verse of the
Five Sisters of Kintail
is a classic but seriously challenging hill-walking ex-
pedition, taking in three Munro summits; start at the parking area just east of the Glen
Shiel battlefield and finish at Morvich (eight to 10 hours).
Sleeping & Eating
Ratagan SYHA£
(
01599-511243;
www.syha.org.uk
; Ratagan; dm £18.50; mid-Mar-Oct; )
This hostel has excellent facilities and a to-die-for spot on the south shore of Loch Duich.
If you want a break from Munro bagging, this is the place. Cheap meals are on offer, and
there's a licensed bar. Turn towards Glenelg from Shiel Bridge, then take the turning on
the right to Ratagan. A bus runs Monday to Friday from Kyle of Lochalsh, otherwise it's a
2-mile walk from Shiel Bridge on the main road.
HOSTEL
Kintail Lodge Hotel££
(
01599-511275;
www.kintaillodgehotel.co.uk
; Shiel Bridge; dm/s/d £15/60/124;
INN, BOTHY
)
With 10 of the 12 fine rooms at this hotel facing the loch, you'd be unlucky not to get a
decent outlook. Tasty bar meals (£9 to £16), including local venison and seafood, are
available at lunch and dinner. There are also two bunkhouses with self-catering facilities,
sleeping six people each; linen is £5.50 extra.
