Walk: Fort of the Black Dog - Knapdale panorama

[Dùn a' Choin Duibh]

A low hill above the remote village of Torinturk offers a rare view over the forest canopy towards West Loch Tarbert. It's topped with the iron-age fort of Dùn a’ Choin Duibh, or fort of the black dog, reputed to have once been guarded by a creature that was half wolf, half dog. The fort can be reached directly by a short but steep ascent from the nearby Forestry and Land Scotland car park, but a slightly longer approach takes in a couple of historic burial cairns: one bronze age, one neolithic. Both are unexcavated, with the former said to contain the body of the great hunter Diarmid, founder of Clan Campbell.

[Achaglachgach Cairns]

📌 Walk: Fort of the Black Dog - Knapdale panorama ★★☆☆☆
▶ 3 km / 2 miles | ▲ 120 metres | ⌚ Short walk
Points of interest: Achaglachgach Cairns; Dùn a’ Choin Duibh
Start / finish: Forestry and Land Scotland car park just southwest of Torinturk, G.R.: NR 809640 ///blacken.wing.statue

Route: Car park - Achaglachgach Cairns - Dùn a’ Choin Duibh - start
Terrain: Mostly forestry tracks; some paths with are boggy and steep in places.
Wildlife today: Huge numbers of slugs on the wet ground.
Weather today: Warm, humid and overcast following earlier rain; mist patches hanging around forest canopies.
Anything else? Rough and steep access track to car park might be tricky for vehicles with low ground clearance. Alternatively, park in Torinturk and walk up to the start.

[View over West Loch Tarbert from the summit]

Route map


Route credit: Walkhighlands

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