Rhue Lighthouse
7.15 Mile (12 km) Circular Walk
Terrain: Challenging. A mixture of rough, uneven surfaces, some scrambling and a burn to cross. Not advised for inexperienced walkers
Mobile Phone Reception: good throughout
Nearest Defibrillator: Ullapool Golf Club, Tesco
Stunning seascape views are the reward for this strenuous coastal walk
Please wear appropriate footwear and outdoor clothing for hill walking. All walks have been carefully researched, and we hope our directions are easy to follow! No liability can be accepted for injury or accidents incurred while undertaking our walks.
All walks are dog-friendly, but please be mindful of our many varieties of wildlife.
1. Starting at the Clock Tower in central Ullapool and facing away from the harbour, head up Quay Street and turn left at Riverside B&B on to Castle Terrrace. Take the steps or the slope on the right hand side leading down to the river. Turn right and take wooden bridge over two rivers. Turn left, then fork left on to an earth path. Bear left through a gap to the left of a duck pond and a bungalow and then follow the river side (can be problematic at very high tide). Keep to the upper path now with allotments to your right.
2. Bear left to take the easier path alongside the river mouth. The walk now enters Ullapool Golf Course. Please keep to the shore side of the red posts and beware of low flying golf balls! As the golf course ends, remain on the beach, past the remains of an old fishing boat.
3. As the beach becomes less and less accessible, take a narrow path to cross a series of rocky outcrops. Some scrambling is needed. Please keep to the shore side of crofters’ fences. There is no permissive path here.
4. After some further scrambling, take a narrow but more obvious path to emerge back on to the beach where the settlement of Rhue comes into view, with the lighthouse around the headland and views of the Summer Isles. Keep to the top of a few more outcrops of rock before reaching an easier grass path to the Allt an t Strathain burn. You may need to find a suitable place to cross (easier in dry spells and lower tides) via stepping stones.
5. After a final area of rocks, keeping close to the fence, you will emerge on to a short, easy path which leads to Rhue Lighthouse. Here you may want to take a breather to be rewarded by the stunning far-reaching coastal views to the Summer Isles, Ben More Coigach and the coast of Wester Ross/Sutherland.
6. Head up to the cluster of houses and crofts which make up the settlement of Rhue. Follow the road back to its junction with the A835, turn right up the hill to Morefield and back down into Ullapool, keeping to grassy verges where possible. To avoid the road walking, retrace your steps along the beach.
The numbers on this map refer to mileage and not the points of the walk.
