On Raasay
Sunday 12th June circular walk to Dun Caan
Dun Cann at 443 m is the highest peak on Raasay. Its interesting anvil-like profile can be recognised from both Skye and the mainland at Applecross.
We set off up the ‘Burma Road’ trail through the forestry, past acres of slain trees. We then joined the path by the stream which was quite boggy at times. We lost the path and were then confronted by a high fence which we followed until we found the path again. Arriving beside the high Loch na Mna we, we had to take a steep path up what looked like the ‘wrong hill’, then descend a steep cliff to the foot of Loch na Melich (which is a water supply); then follow a zigzagging, well-marked path to the top of Dun Caan (3 hours - not bad without hiking boots, although George did get a big blister). Our paths and all the above features can be seen on the adjacent map - a welcome product of the Ordnance Survey OpenSpace and Bing/Microsoft maps.
We were rewarded by views across the water to Applecross and a very steep drop immediately below us (see panorama below). We sat there enjoying the view while we ate the good picnic food provided by our landlady Anda Nicolson from Allt Arais.
From this viewpoint we could appreciate that the area of Raasay around the main village of Inverarish is a green haven in an otherwise rather bare island.
On our descent from Dun Caan we took the northbound path down from beside Loch na Mna – a very clear path, mostly dry and easier than the way up; we reached the road after 1 hour. As we descended we heard the calls of peewits and eventually caught site of one of them. We then had a long walk back (about 2.5 miles) along the narrow road to Inverie, but we saw no cars. We passed several small lochs, one of which harboured a big group of kittiwakes(?) - white heads, grey backs, black mark on tails and yellow beaks; as well as a heron.
We stopped for a chat with the warden of the Youth Hostel (red triangle on the map) who showed us around – they have a double room as well as dormitories and supply duvet covers, pillow cases and sheets. He’s a volunteer warden who is active in bike recycling schemes in Newcastle. As we passed through the forest, we saw a big stag. We’re pleased that the gentle wind seems to be keeping the midges away (so far).
We had another meal at the Raasay House café (the only choice, but a good one). We were sorry to see their excellent carrot cake had run out, but had an interesting conversation with our fellow guests at Allt Arais who had travelled the from their home in Elgol on Skye for a birthday celebration visit.
