Chances are, if you know anything about what to do when visiting the Isle of Skye, you’ll think of the same few things: The Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Pools, or even the Talisker whiskey distillery. We ourselves have written about the Quiraing and Brothers’ Point. But this, in our opinion, has them all beat: the Loch Coruisk boat and hike trip.
Loch Coruisk is a 38m deep loch surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Cuillin mountains. The water is inky blue, the mountains a shadowy black, and the loch has long been the subject of stories and folklore. It’s a majestic, spectacular and eerie place that simply cannot be missed while on Skye.
The loch itself can be got to on foot. It’s a 11km one-way hike from Sligachan and 9km from Kilmarie. It includes a traverse over the ledge of rock called the ‘Bad Step’, which is ominous. But taking the Loch Coruisk boat from Elgol and completing the lap around the loch skips all that out. It’s an easier alternative that is still incredibly dramatic.
The Loch Coruisk boat trip | Out
Distance: 4 nautical miles / 7km
Time: 15 minutes by RIB or 40 minutes by normal boat
There are two companies that operate the boat trips out to Loch Coruisk: Misty Isle Boat Trips and the Bella Jane. Both run from a small coastal village called Elgol, which sits across the water from the loch.
Email either of them in advance to book onto a boat, and they’ll keep you in the loop about sea conditions (it can be too choppy to sail sometimes, it happened to us the first time we tried this). It cost us £25 return each.
The boats run frequently from around April to October. We ourselves went on the last one of the season with Bella Jane, just us two, leaving on a perfectly crisp day in October. Misty Isle Boat Trips actually does run throughout the whole year, but in the winter only occasionally.
On our way out we went on the Bella Jane’s RIB. This is a rigid inflatable boat that essentially speeds faster than light to get across to the other side. It took us little more than 15 minutes. We loved it, even though it felt like our faces might fall off by the end.
We did stop briefly to watch the seals sunbathing on the rocks near the shore. And the trip out on the Loch Coruisk boat is supposedly a good time to see all kinds of wildlife, including whales and dolphins.
If on the ordinary boat, you’ll get across in a much more dignified 45 minutes. And there’s tea and coffee on board too.
The Loch Coruisk hike
Distance: 7km
Time: 3 hours
Once off the boat, it’s a hike over rocky, wet, peaty ground along a rough-hewn path to begin to explore the loch.
You’ll file past the Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut, a cabin maintained by the Junior Mountaineering Club of Scotland (Glasgow section) that can be pre-booked and stayed in. It’s a basic offering of bunkbeds and a gas log burner, but a cosy place to experience Loch Coruisk at all hours of the day.
Beyond the hut is the path that snakes its way around the loch. Even if other people arrived with you, most stay close to the jetty so you’ll soon be alone.
Once over the shallow river, you’ll soon arrive at Loch Coruisk itself. And get there early enough, with good weather, you could get crystal glass reflections of the surrounding mountains.
As we worked our way around, you could see why so many songs and stories have risen up from the loch. The stillness and never-ending quiet seem almost palpable, and with little around you except bare rock and rippling water, it has an eternal, inhuman feel that so many wild, natural places have.
So it’s said to be the home of a water horse/kelpie, a Scottish mythical creature that lures and then pulls people into the murky depths, to live forever at the bottom of the loch.
We’ve said it before about the weird world of Saxon Switzerland, but these places can feel both peaceful and indifferent. The loch and the hills have gone on in this way for many lifetimes before you, and will continue after. You are small and transitory; it endures and continues.
Take from that what you will.
The Loch Coruisk boat trip | Back
Boats in the summer run fairly regularly but keep an eye on the time to be back for a boat. Book a return trip and a time so they know to expect you.
As the boat chugs away from that empty amphitheatre of rock to begin its 45 minute journey back to Elgol, you might remember that it was on one such boat in the 1790s that the famous Skye Boat Song was apparently recorded for the first time, after Skye visitor Miss Annie MacLeod heard the men singing it.
Don’t forget to keep a look out for dolphins too.
Is there anything else you want to know about Loch Coruisk boat & hike? Let us know.
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Hi guys!
Just found your blog…great info! We are heading to Skye in the spring.
Can I ask if you use a.drone for some shots? And if so…which one you like to use?
Thanks
J
Hi Jen, thanks for getting in touch and great to hear you’re visiting in the spring 🙂
We don’t actually have a drone – we would like one though and have our eyes on either: DJI Mavic Pro or DJI Mavic Air. There are some good deals on at the moment!
Happy planning (and shopping!)
Luke
Love your blog. Great pictures! We are planning to do the Skye-trail in May, but I have a terrible fear of heights. Do you know if there is a way I take the boat while my boyfriend continues the hike and he and I meet after the virtigo?
Sorry for the delay – you’re likely in Skye about now. Hope this message helps. Yes your boyfriend could walk there. Big hike from Sligachan. But it would give you time to drive round to Elgol and catch the ferry over and meet him there. You can both then ferry back to the car. Easy!! Enjoy
We’re visiting Skye with our (will be) 7 month old this august. Is the boat and Loch loop baby carrier friendly? We’re both seasoned hikers but this will be our first walking holiday with a baby on our shoulders! So want walks both gorgeous but safe underfoot.
Sorry for the belated reply, Laura. Hope you managed to get over to Coruisk(?), and had a great first series of hikes with you wee’un! Best wishes, L&N