Distance 17km Ascent 590m Time 5 hours 30
Terrain Trodden paths, maintained footpaths and track roads between Idrigill Point and Orbost.
Map OS Explorer 407 
Access The 56 bus to Glendale passes closest (3.5km) to the start, ask to get off at Orbost road end. If driving, leave the A863 Dunvegan–Sligachan road on the B884 Glendale road, turn left to Orbost at the first corner and continue to Orbost Farm where there is a parking area just before Orbost House.

Standing just off Idrigill Point at the southern end of Skye's north-western Duirinish peninsula, MacLeod’s Maidens are the island's most impressive sea stacks, with the highest of these jagged monoliths rising to almost 65m. The route described here leads from the road end at Orbost, south along the coast to the viewpoint on the adjacent clifftop. This is a fine coastal walk in it's own right and it follows a clear path most of the way to Idrigill Point. Imaginative woodland plantation and forestry management along the route greatly enhances this walk, as do the fine views along the way. It's worth continuing north-west along the clifftops beyond Idrigill Point as time and energy allow, to enjoy some of the finest coastal scenery on Skye.

1. By the parking area a green metal signpost reading 'Idrigill Point 5 miles',indicates the track leading down towards Loch Bharcasaig, where it bends right to continue westwards around the bay. The track sweeps round past a house in a clearing in the forestry and a chalet-type house above the shingle beach then crosses the Abhainn Bharcasaig.

2. Go around a metal gate and follow the track up into the forestry. After a couple of kilometres the track runs out by the Forse Burn, cross with care and continue through a wooden gate in a deer fence. Fork right shortly after as indicated by a marker post. The path, which can be quite boggy in places climbs steadily and eventually crosses a pass between Beinn na Boineid and Beinn na Moine.

3. The path descends and leads through another gate where a sign indicates that you are now entering Rebel's Wood, a woodland plantation including birch, spruce and other native species, which was established by Future Forests in memory of Joe Strummer, frontman of punk rock band The Clash. Continue onwards with views over the ruined settlement of Brandarsaig to the islands in Loch Bracadale with the Cuillin   dominating the horizon on a clear day. Follow the path down across the Brandarsaig Burn, flowing through a gully lined with rowan and aspen. The path climbs over the neck of a small promontory named The Hoe before descending the often wet slope on the other side.

4. The path turns sharply right, climbing again to avoid a deep gorge. Cross a stream and then the Idrigill Burn shortly after, leaving the fenced woodland through another deer gate. Just beyond the burn are the stone ruins of Idrigill, once a substantial township with the corrugations of old lazy beds all around. Follow the path uphill and through the Glac Ghealaridh, a narrow valley leading up between low hills – Steineval to the right and Àrd Beag to the left.

5. Go through another gate and continue briefly along the right hand side of a fence before before heading south south-west along trodden paths to reach the coast at the sheer-sided inlet of Geodha nan Daoine. Continue out onto the narrow headland flanking the eastern (left-hand) side of the inlet

From this vantage point there are tremendous views of Macleod's Maidens. The largest stack is the Mother while the two smaller stacks are the Daughters. The Mother stack was first climbed in 1959 – a daunting prospect indeed. The Maidens were also notorious ship-wreckers; smugglers reputedly placed decoy lights on the skerries at the Maidens' feet to lure unsuspecting vessels onto the rocks.

Return to the head of Geodha nan Daoine then bear left to continue to the tip of the next headland, Rubha na Maighdeanan, for further thrilling views of the stacks.

Either retrace your outward route to return to Orbost or regain the main path and continue north-west along the magnificent coastline to enjoy the spectacular views as time and energy allows.