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Isle of Skye

Loch Langaig

A small loch by the A855 at Flodigarry, where a quiet path leaves the road for the Quiraing.

Welcome

North of Staffin, just before the road reaches Flodigarry, a footpath sign on the A855 points uphill towards the Quiraing, and within a few steps you are at the edge of Loch Langaig.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

It is a small, quiet loch in a hollow of the hills, with a stream running in over stepping stones and a boat or two drawn up at its edge, and above it the tumbled crags of the Quiraing fill the sky.

Most people come to the Quiraing from its car park higher up. This is the other way in, away from the traffic, and much the quieter one. The path skirts the loch, climbs past Loch Hasco and carries on beneath the cliffs, with the sea and Staffin Bay opening out behind you. Walk as far as the weather allows, or simply stop at the loch for ten minutes, before carrying on round the north end of Skye.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
The walk

The path passes round the north shore of the loch, climbs past Loch Hasco and goes on towards the Quiraing.

Start
The Loch Langaig footpath sign on the A855 north of Staffin, before Flodigarry; there is a layby 50 metres further north.
To the Quiraing
About 11 kilometres there and back by the summit of Meall na Suiramach, 3 hours; moderate to strenuous.
Shorter
Fingal's Pinnacles, a 5 kilometre circuit from the same start, 2.5 to 3 hours.
Wear
Hillwalking boots, warm and waterproof clothing, and carry a map and compass.
By bus
The 57 from Portree; ask for the foot of the Loch Langaig footpath.

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Did you know

Two sheep graze on a hillside below cloud-wrapped cliffs on the Isle of Skye.
Did you know

Once the road for peats.

The path past the loch began as a cart track that crofters used to bring home their peats, and it is still used to gather sheep off the hill.

A stream feeds into a misty loch below a cloud-wrapped hillside on the Isle of Skye.
Did you know

The diatomite path.

Early in the 20th century the same path led up to the diatomite workings at the lochs above.

Mist clings to a hillside above a loch on the Isle of Skye, bracken turning rust-red on the slopes.
Did you know

An island with three names.

The island in view offshore has at least three names: Eilean Altabhaig, Eilean a' Chinn Mhòir and Eilean Fhlòdaigearraidh.

A white boat sits moored at the edge of a loch surrounded by autumn-toned hills on the Isle of Skye.
Did you know

A giant's grave above.

North of the path stands Leac nan Fionn, Fingal's Tomb, a table-topped hill said to be the grave of Fionn mac Cumhaill, the great warrior of Celtic myth.

A small boat is moored on a loch beneath a mist-shrouded hill on the Isle of Skye.
Did you know

The road that keeps moving.

The Quiraing above is the largest landslide in Britain, and it has not stopped. At Flodigarry the road is riddled with bumps and cracks and needs regular repair.

A small white boat is moored on a misty loch below cloud-wrapped hills on the Isle of Skye.
Did you know

A loch to learn on.

Langaig is one of the Flodigarry lochs, fished with the fly only for small but lively brown trout, and the local angling club counts them ideal for a first go at fly fishing.

A stream winds over stepping stones into a loch beneath mist-covered hills on the Isle of Skye.
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Where it is

Beside the A855 north of Staffin, just before Flodigarry, below the Quiraing.

Close byThe places nearest the loch, by road.
  1. Loch ShiantaLoch ShiantaA small loch out of sight of the road, said to have holy properties.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The QuiraingThe QuiraingThe other great landslip on the Trotternish ridge, at its northern end.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. The NeedleThe NeedleThe tall, jagged pinnacle of the Quiraing, best seen from the walk.1 mile 3 min by road
  4. The Hungry GullThe Hungry GullFresh local cooking in the community hall at Staffin.3 miles 4 min by road
  5. Columba 1400Columba 1400A charity's café at Staffin under the Trotternish ridge, paying for its youth work.4 miles 5 min by road
  6. An Corran BeachAn Corran BeachA small dark beach whose rocks hold three-toed dinosaur prints, seen only at low tide.4 miles 4 min by road
  7. Duntulm CastleDuntulm CastleThe last castle of the Macdonalds of Sleat, on cliffs at the northern tip of Skye.5 miles 6 min by road
  8. The Grave of Flora MacDonaldThe Grave of Flora MacDonaldThe old graveyard at Kilmuir where a tall cross stands over Flora MacDonald.7 miles 9 min by road
Directions
Rocky shoreline waves below scattered houses beneath dark cliffs on SkyeAttractionsDinosaur Prints at Staffin & Duntulm3.4 miles
The sandy beach at An Corran with waves running in below a grassy cliff headland.AttractionsDinosaur Footprints at An Corran3.5 miles
Open water off the north of Skye with low islands on the horizon, the view the lookout faces.AttractionsRubha Hunish4.8 miles
Cream rotary telephone mounted beside a round "Listed" plaque on wooden panellingAttractionsThe Lookout Bothy4.8 miles
Lichen-streaked basalt cliffs above the sea at Rubha Hunish, a stack standing off the point.WalksRubha Hunish Walk4.8 miles
Layered sea cliffs rise above a rocky shoreline under hazy skiesAttractionsKilt Rock5.2 miles
Thatched stone cottages flank old farm carts and a millstone on grassAttractionsSkye Museum of Island Life6.9 miles
Grass-topped rocky headland jutting into the sea under a cloudy skyAttractionsBrothers' Point7.0 miles
The granite Celtic cross over Flora MacDonald's grave in Kilmuir burial ground, with the Minch behind it.AttractionsKilmuir Cemetery7.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the loch, and when each is next free.

Monkstadt 1745
  • To stay
  • In Linicro
  • 6 miles from Loch Langaig
Check datesThe Trotternish coast from above Half of One, cliffs and green headlands running out into the sea.Half of One
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Culnacnoc
  • 6 miles from Loch Langaig
Free 2–5 NovTimber-clad building with black roof and metal railings along a gravel pathThe Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse
  • Sleeps 1
  • In Uig
  • 6 miles from Loch Langaig
Check datesDining room with tartan carpet, wine glasses set on long wooden tablesSkeabost House Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Skeabost Bridge
  • 14 miles from Loch Langaig
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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