VISIT TO THE ABANDONED VILLAGE AT HALLAIG ON RAASAY
Since first hearing the celebrated Scottish poet Sorley Maclean recite his famous poem "Hallaig" on Martyn Bennet's album "Bothy Culture" back in 1997 I have intended to visit the place. I finally arrived on The Inner Hebridean Isle of Raasay, a 15 minute ferry ride from Skye back in September 2020.>
The road end at North Fearns
THE ROAD END AT NORTH FEARNS
The few houses that make up the community of North Fearns lie on the south-east end of The Isle of Raasay from where a grassy track heads northward under Beinn na Leac along Raasay's rugged east coast. High above Rubha na' Leac the track turns back westward to arrive at the memorial to Sorley Maclean
THE MEMORIAL CAIRN TO SORLEY MACLEAN.
Looking towards Dun Caan from the Sorley Maclean memorial cairn. The Wood of Hallaig the subject of perhaps his most famous poem is behind the cairn, beyond that and directly under Dun Caan can be seen the field system around the abandoned village.. The main track ends here and from now on becomes sketchy in places.
WALKING THROUGH THE WOOD OF HALLAIG
The path eventually climbs above the wood, crosses The Hallaig Burn and enters what remains of the site of Hallaig
THE FIRST VIEW OF THE FIELD SYSTEM OF HALLAIG
INSIDE ONE OF THE RUINED HOUSES
Looking towards the summit cone of Dun Caan from the interior of one of the ruins as yet another rain squall passes over. The remain's of the houses fireplace are in the foreground.
RAINBOW OVER RAASAY'S RUGGED EAST COAST
Our original intention had been to follow the ancient path along here to another abandoned village at Screapadal but as usual with ancient Scottish paths the going was very rough so after a further mile or so we retraced our steps.
LOOKING NORTH TO BROCHEL CASTLE
LOOKING SOUTH-WEST FROM HALLAIG TOWARDS THE CROWLIN ISLANDS
THE CUILLIN OF SKYE FROM NORTH FEARNS
Back on the easy grassy track to North Fearns and a typical shot of the days weather conditions.
