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Kyles of Bute

Along the shores of the Kyles of Bute

26 October 2007

Start: Glecknabae Farm, at end of minor road to the north of Ettrick Bay
Distance: 31⁄2 miles (5.6km)
Approximate time: 1 1⁄2 hours
Parking: Free parking area by entrance to Glecknabae Farm
Refreshments: None
Ordnance Survey maps: Landranger 63 (Firth of Clyde), Explorer 362 (Cowal West & Isle of Bute)

From this flat and easy ‘there and back' walk, along a delightful tree-lined track on the east coast of Bute, there are constantly outstanding views across the Kyles of Bute to the hills of Cowal and Arran. Along the way there are three historic sites to visit. The first two – St Michael's Grave and Glenvoidean Cairn – necessitate brief detours; the third, St Michael's Chapel, is at the half-way point.

From the car park, head onto the track to Kilmichael and walk along this attractive, tree-lined track for nearly 11⁄2 miles (2.4km) to Kilmichael Farm,passing through two gates. All the way there are the most superb views across the Kyles of Bute to the Cowal peninsula. The villages clearly visible on the other side of the water are Kames
and Tighnabruaich. 

After about 1 mile (1.6km), you make a brief detour to the left (A) by walkingacross a field to a group of large stones occupying a low ridge. This is St Michael’s Grave, a neolithic chambered cairn dating from around 4000 to 2000 BC. It gets its name from its proximity to St Michael's Chapel.

Return to the track which rises gently to pass a cottage and about 100 yds(91m) beyond it turn sharp right (B) and head up to a metal gate for the second, slightly lengthier detour. Go through the gate and continue uphill, following the track as it curves left, then right. At this point, keep ahead across the grass to Glenvoidean Cairn, identifiable by two prominent upright stones.

This is another neolithic chambered cairn, older and larger than the previous one. Its location on the side of the hill is superb, with magnificent views over the Kyles of Bute to Cowal, Kintyre and Arran. If you continue a little further up the track, the views become even better and you can enjoy impressive vistas ahead of the bare moorlands that cover much of this northern part of Bute.

Return to the track by the shore and continue to Kilmichael Farm. Just in front of the farm buildings, turn left through a metal gate, walk along the left edge of a field, by a wire fence on the left, turn left through another gate and head across the field to a circular enclosure (C). Within this is a graveyard and the scanty remains of the medieval St Michael’s Chapel. An iron gate admits you to the site. Although there is not much to see, the sparseness of the ruins is partly compensated for by the beautiful location above the Kyles of Bute almost opposite Kames.

From here retrace your steps along the tree-lined track to the starting point of the walk, enjoying more fine views, especially looking towards the Isle of Arran.

 
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