Shieldaig Peninsula Walk

The Shieldaig Peninsula Walk is a delightful circular route onto the An Aird peninsula, which projects out into Loch Torridon from the picturesque village of Shieldaig — one of the most attractive settlements in the Highlands, with whitewashed houses lining the shore opposite the wooded nature reserve of Shieldaig Island.

From the car park by the shore, the route heads up the road to a sharp bend, continuing past Shieldaig Primary School and through a gate onto a track that climbs over low moorland. The path passes the ruins of former houses near Camas Beithe, with good views across the water to Torridon village and the mountains beyond, before crossing heather moorland to a large cairn — the path from here is rocky underfoot but clearly marked with painted arrows on the rocks, passing through a scattering of silver birch and a short, scrambly rocky step.

The walk's finest section comes near a gap in an old stone wall, where a short detour leads to a bench with a view over the loch, and a further scramble up to the hilltop above rewards with a fine outlook to Inveralligin and the Diabaig peninsula. The route then loops back over the moor to rejoin the outward track, descending gently back towards the village.

This is a genuinely lovely family walk with plentiful spots to watch for otters, herons, and porpoises in the loch, but the paths are rougher than the modest distance might suggest, with several rocky, uneven sections and one notably steep, scrambly descent that has caught out less sure-footed walkers in wet conditions.

Public toilets, a small shop, and refreshments are available in Shieldaig village; parking is available near the shore, and a bus service runs between Lochcarron and Kinlochewe.