Walk: Fort of the Black Dog - Knapdale panorama

Argyll & Bute | Knapdale | Short walk | ★★

[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 ★★
Start / finish at Forestry and Land Scotland car park, B8024 just southwest of Torinturk, G.R.: NR 809640 ///blacken.wing.statue. 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.

▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌚ Short | ⬤ Moderate
Features: Achaglachgach Cairns; Dùn a’ Choin Duibh
Terrain: Mostly forestry tracks; some paths with are boggy and steep in places.

Route & map

Car park - Achaglachgach Cairns - Dùn a’ Choin Duibh - start

Route credit: Walkhighlands

On our visit

Wildlife: Loads of slugs on the wet ground.
Weather: Warm, humid and overcast following earlier rain; mist patches hanging around forest canopies.

[View over West Loch Tarbert from the summit]