| Track length: | 7.52 km |
| Moving time: | 06 |
| Average speed: | 75.25 km/h |
| Total ascent: | 72 m |
| Total descent: | 72 m |
| Difficulty Level: | 2/5 - Easy | |
| Categories: |  |
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| Terrain: | Public access | |
| Hits: | 9060 | |
The tour is about 15 km long and takes about 6 hours to complete the round trip.
The scenery is just gorgeous. The most difficult part is at the end you can climb a fairly steep hill, which is well worth it. Take a pair of binoculars to watch animals.
You can also drive the route by car if you wish. Coral Beach is found in the northern part of Skye next to the crofting settlement of Claigan. The community of Claigan is located around 4.5 miles north along a single track road from the community of Dunvegan. It is about 35 minutes and 25.5 miles away while travelling by car from Portree.
A wonderful stroll for the whole family down to the Coral Beach at Claigan, which is located close to the north of Dunvegan.
When the sun is out, the beach is composed of crushed white coral like seaweed, which gives the appearance that the ocean is a vibrant tropical blue. A wonderfully enchanted location, excellent for having a picnic with the family and perhaps going for a dip.
In spite of its appearance in a number of photographs, the brilliantly white "sand" at Claigan Coral Beach is not, in reality, sand. Additionally, it is not a coral. It is generated when tiny fragments of a kind of hard seaweed known as maerl are deposited on the coast, where they are subsequently broken up by wave action, allowed to dry up, and then bleached by the sun.
When living, maerl beds have a purplish-pink colour. They are an essential habitat for a variety of tiny marine plants and animals, including juvenile scallops, making their protection a priority in the context of marine nature conservation in Scottish seas. The website of Scottish Natural Heritage has further information that may be accessed.
Be careful to call attention to the fragile snail shells and the little bits of maerl that are lying around the sand when you are out with your family beachcombing.
The tidal island of Lampay may be found just off the coast, around 150 metres from the beach. It is feasible to stroll over to the island and investigate the plants and creatures that are found there when the tide is at its lowest point.
Tidal Prediction charts for Loch Dunvegan, which are produced by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, may assist in avoiding disappointment.
On a day when there is little to no cloud cover, it is possible to view all the way across Loch Dunvegan and all the way to the Outer Hebrides from the shore. It is possible to find a wonderful spot to sit and unwind here, with the only sound being that of the waves lapping on the coast, or you can watch the seals playing in the loch. If you're really fortunate, you may even see a sea otter while you're there.
Cnoc Mor a Ghrobain is a short hill with a flat top that is located right close to the beach. To get an even greater view, climb to the top of this hill. It is possible to view everything from Stein, which is located on the Waternish peninsula, to Dunvegan Head. Because of its high location, it is an ideal spot for a picnic.
A little farther down the beach are several rockpools, which serve as a sanctuary for a wide variety of aquatic life. They are ideal for satiating the curious minds and hands of youngsters, and children will love playing with them.
