Point of Sleat

1. From the parking area at the road end, go through the wooden gate next to the stock gate – a green sign indicates 'Point of Sleat 2.5 m[iles]' and follow the metalled track, which soon begins to wind its way steadily uphill. The track continues its sinuous course across the heather-clad moorland and as height is gained there are great views eastwards looking back across the Aird of Sleat to the mountains of Knoydart beyond. Follow the track up across the southern flank of Sgurran Seillich, with the sheer basalt cliffs of the Isle of Eigg suddenly appearing to the southwest.

2. Cross the high point, descend steeply and go through a gate. The track continues westwards alongside the burn flowing down from Loch Aruisg. A couple of houses come into view on the coast ahead then, just after crossing a wooden bridge next to a ford, turn left to join a rocky path, signposted for 'Point of Sleat and Sandy Bay'. The path steeply climbs a brief rocky section beneath a gnarled sessile oak tree then bears left alongside a fence across broken, slabby sandstone and potentially boggy moorland for around 500 metres. To the right there are a few scattered, isolated houses foregrounding the view across to the mountainous Isle of Rùm beyond. Where the fence makes a 90° turn to the west, continue straight ahead a short way on the rough path to reach a path junction. Bear right as indicated by a Scotways marker post to continue to the Point of Sleat, but beforehand it is worth making the short detour straight ahead to the beautiful sandy bay at Camas Daraich.

3. Having enjoyed the beach, return to the path junction and continue westwards (left) following a continuous rough path as it climbs and then crosses heathery moorland, which is boggy in places, with superb views back across Camas Daraich. Eventually, narrow concrete steps (hazardous in wet conditions) lead steeply down into a broad gap. From the foot of the steps, continue straight ahead (right) towards the rocky shoreline over potentially boggy ground then bear left and continue across a lovely strip of greensward to reach two bays, the left-hand one featuring a small sandy beach.

4. From here, it is just a short distance on a clear path up and over a final rise then  across close-cropped grass to reach the automatic lighthouse at Skye's southernmost point. The views from the lighthouse take in Mallaig to the east, the Ardnamurchan peninsula to the south, the isles of Eigg and Rùm to the south-west and west, and Rubh an Dùnain to the north-west beyond the isle of Soay. The lighthouse is also a good vantage point for spotting dolphins and seabirds, including gannets and cormorants. The return is via the outward route with more fine views to enjoy along the way.