If you fancy a challenging trek to a beach that people rarely get to, then Port Mor might be the place for you, or a mile and a half walk to an historical site, then head to Poulouriscaig.
Drive along the A836 towards Armadale and take the turning to the left into the village. Follow the left fork and park by a small white house where you can see a sign saying 'Poulouriscaig 1.5m / 2.5km'. Poulouriscraig is the ruined and abandoned village of a few houses that was created when the population was cleared from further south during the clearances and was finally abandoned in the 1930s. The walk to it can be muddy and boggy in places but is a good focal point destination.
The walk to Port Mor follows the same track at first so follow the signpost and set off. After a while, keep your eyes peeled for The Lady Of Armadale, a shape of the hills that, with a little imagination, has the form of a maiden's face as if she is laying on her back contemplating the sky.
After The Maiden, the track heads downhill. As it begins to climb again, there is a fork, although both paths take a sweep to the right. There are no signs here but it is important to take the left track. Continue along the track until it crosses a burn (stream).
The stream follows the line of a fault between the Moine geology to the west and the enigmatic Strathy complex to the east. If you wish to go down to Port Mor, leave the track and follow the path of the stream towards the sea. There isn't a footpath as such for a good deal of this part of the walk so it is a matter of finding your own route down the valley, which eventually runs steeply downhill to Port Mor, a rocky, pebbly beach, enclosed on three sides by steep cliffs.
After the journey to get here, it is nice to rest for a while on one of the large rocks that dot the beach then allow yourself some time to explore the beach. Because so few people come down here, it is not picked clean like the other local beaches so there is often interesting flotsam and jetsam. It was from here that the life ring, much of the rope and many of the fishing buoys that decorate The Captains come. Make sure you leave yourself enough energy and time to make the return trip back up the hillside to where you left your car.
If Poulouriscaig is your destination, continue on the track in the zigzag that climbs the hill. At the top of the hill the track is less obvious but there is a small way marker post that points the way to the right. Continue down this track for longer than you think you need to and just as you begin to wonder if you're going the right way, you will see a very obviously man-made wall. Over the wall you will see the remains of five dwellings. Perhaps not the most spectacular set of ruins but a worthy destination.
Once you have returned to the car, it is worth taking the road that runs past the white house towards the old salmon fishery. Here you will see some old fishing net stands framing the view out towards Strathy Head.
And to the left you will be able to look down into the inlet of Port a'Chinn. There is a decent footpath down to the pebbly beach and beautiful turquoise water to enjoy but after your day of walking you may prefer to just stop where you are and enjoy the view of the jagged sea stacks.
Notes for visitors with limited mobility:
Unsuitable.