Cill an Ailein

Distance – 1 mile

Time – 1 hour
OS Map Explorer 374
Grading – Easy
Terrain – Forestry Commission track and trail

The walk begins from Aros Forestry Commission offices just north of Salen Bay. Drive through the forestry offices car park until the picnic area is reached. Take the forestry track heading east, go through the gate and after 10 minutes walking you come to a track going up the hill to the right.

The main attraction of this walk is the old graveyard of Cill an Ailein, housing some graves dating back to the Middle Ages. The earliest legible inscriptions date from the eighteenth century and one small stone commemorates a shoe-maker. On the rear of his gravestone is a hammer and a high-heeled shoe.

There are wonderful views from the graveyard over to Crannich, Ben Talaidh and Ben More. After enjoying this vista go back on to the path, bear right and continue the circular walk back to your car.

The Forestry Enterprise produces a leaflet with a map of this and other walks on the island. This can be found in the Tourist Offices at Craignure and Tobermory and is free of charge.