Tobermory-lighthouse
Stage 1
Start from the main Ledaig car park just on the right as you come down the hill to Tobermory. Here there is free parking and toilets. Begin by walk along the brightly coloured main street all the way to the pier. Behind this building, to the right of the RNLI shop and just before the Calmac pier take the path which slopes diagonally uphill through the trees.
Stage 2
When an old cannon emplacement is reached, ignore the steps to the left (these are the return route) and continue along the main path through the gate. The path was once very muddy but has been greatly improved in recent years and now provides a delightful walk through the woods with glimpses out over the water. There's a donation box to help fund the work and any future repairs.
Stage 3
When a path junction is reached keep right on main path rather than heading uphill (the other path joins the return route). Soon there are great views out across the water. Keep following the path and soon the lighthouse comes into view. Take the short detour to the right where there is a memorial with a view indicator.
Return to the main path and walk in front of the cottage and out to the lighthouse gate. This is a good spot to watch for otters.
Return along the path and after a short distance, just before the turn for the memorial, a much rougher path forks right uphill. The easiest return is to continue retracing steps, but if you don't mind a much rougher walk with an initial ascent, take the right hand fork. After passing through a section of dense undergrowth and boggy sections the path follows the clifftop.
When it forks keep straight ahead, the path to the left heads back steeply down to the outward route. Soon a stile leading to the golf course is reached. Once over the stile turn left and keep to the edge of the golf course, following the green and white posts. After passing the tees for the 6th hole, there is a short section of path with steps and then the route skirts round the back of the 5th hole. Take great care here and ensure that any golfers have finished their hole before heading around this section.
Keep following the edge of the golf course and eventually a path to the left leads to a metal gate. Go through this and bear left at a path junction to reach the end of the road. Turn left to follow the road and immediately after the war memorial turn left down the steps seen near the beginning of the walk. From here turn right to return to the main street.
Gentle Walk
smclellan on scottexservices.com