Culnacnoc, on the Trotternish peninsula, Isle of Skye

Rubha nam Brathairean (Brother’s Point)

route · Coastal walk

Place photograph

7.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Dramatic

Feel

CoastalRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.8

A narrow headland reaching into the Sound of Raasay, where Skye’s Jurassic coastline meets traces of settlement spanning millennia. Fossils and dinosaur footprints are reported on the foreshore; the route also passes rugged coastal scenery and historic remains.

Brother’s Point earns its place for the way a short coastal walk opens onto a dramatic, exposed promontory with a deep geological story. It is not a casual, all-weather stroll: boggy ground, steep drops and a narrow cliff-top section demand care.

Dramatic · Wild · Secluded

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Culnacnoc, on the Trotternish peninsula, Isle of Skye

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The experience

Allow around 1–2 hours for the coastal walk to the point and back. Start at the small Culnacnoc car park, cross the A855 to the signed trail near Kilena Cemetery, and take care on boggy ground and the exposed, narrow promontory. Turn back if weather or underfoot conditions make the cliffs unsafe.

Things to do

Walk the coastal trail to Brother’s Point

Follow the route from the Culnacnoc side of the A855 towards the narrow promontory. Expect uneven and boggy sections, steep inclines and exposed cliff-side ground.

About 1–2 hours

Observe the Jurassic foreshore geology

The coastline is described as Jurassic sandstone, with fossil finds and dinosaur footprints reported at low tide. Observe from a safe place and respect conservation measures; do not collect fossils.

Look for traces of former settlement

The headland is described as holding traces of human activity across many periods. Dùn Hasan is reported to show evidence of an ancient settlement and later fortification.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1–2 hours

Quick Escape: walk to the headland

01
Park only if there is space in the small car park near Culnacnoc; park sensibly.
02
Cross the A855 to the trail entrance by Kilena Cemetery and its information board.
03
Follow the coastal route towards the point, taking care on uneven, boggy ground and near steep cliffs.
04
Return by the same route; do not continue onto the exposed promontory if conditions are unsafe.

Half day · Half day

Make a half day of the coastal walk

01
Allow time for the out-and-back walk and pauses to take in the headland, cliffs and Sound of Raasay.
02
At the foreshore, observe the geology from a safe position; fossil-bearing areas are protected, so do not disturb or remove material.
03
Consider the nearby abandoned township remains only if you have suitable navigation and can reach them safely; the source describes these as off-track.
04
Check weather and ground conditions before setting out, and leave the exposed ridge if conditions deteriorate.

Verified history

Brother’s Point is described as a place with traces of human activity across millennia, including hunter-gatherers, Iron Age settlers, medieval monks, clan chieftains, salmon fishermen and 19th-century crofters. The source also identifies Dùn Hasan near the point as showing traces of an ancient settlement and later fortification. These are source-reported summaries; the supplied material does not provide specific dates or detailed archaeological evidence for each period.

Hidden details

Dùn Hasan — Near the point, Dùn Hasan is described as retaining traces of an ancient settlement and later fortification. The supplied sources do not give a more precise date or identification.

When to go

· Choose a time when weather and visibility are suitable; check local conditions before setting out.

The supplied sources do not establish a best season. Ground conditions and exposure matter, and the promontory can be dangerous in bad weather.

The route includes boggy ground and a narrow trail near steep cliffs. The source warns that the promontory can be dangerous, especially in bad weather. Check the forecast and current local conditions before visiting.

The route

surface: Uneven ground, boggy sections and pebbly shore are described; other surface details are not established.
distance: 1.5 miles to the point, according to the Isle of Skye guide; the Tripadvisor description characterises the visit as a short coastal walk.
duration: 1–2 hours
difficulty: Challenging in places: uneven, boggy ground, steep inclines and a narrow exposed trail near cliffs.
waymarking: A wooden signpost and information board are reported at the trail start by Kilena Cemetery.
route shape: Out and back
start point: Across the A855 from the small car park near Culnacnoc, by Kilena Cemetery.
parking start: Small car park near Culnacnoc, north of Glenview B&B; very limited spaces. Park sensibly and check current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Turn back before the narrow, exposed promontory if the ground, weather or cliff-edge conditions do not feel safe.

Narrow grassy promontory above the Sound of Raasay
Steep coastal cliffs and rock stacks
Jurassic coastline and reported fossil-bearing foreshore
Dùn Hasan and traces of settlement and fortification

What to look for

01
Look for the changing shape of the grassy headland, cliffs and sea stacks
02
the foreshore’s reported Jurassic sandstone and dinosaur footprints
03
and traces of historic settlement. Do not leave the route or disturb fossils.

The story

Jurassic fossils and footprints; traces of human settlement across several periods

Best time to go

Check local conditions before visiting; avoid the exposed promontory in bad weather.

Choose a settled, clear day and check weather conditions before setting out; the headland is exposed and the narrow trail can be dangerous in bad weather.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers

Route at a glance

Duration

1–2 hours

Terrain

Coastal, Remote countryside

Parking / start

A small car park near Culnacnoc has very limited spaces; park sensibly. Check current parking arrangements before travel.

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Skye, Portree

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.9 · 41 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The walk starts across the road from the small car park near Culnacnoc. The route crosses uneven, boggy ground and follows a narrow promontory beside steep cliffs; it can be dangerous in bad weather. Check conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

A small car park near Culnacnoc has very limited spaces; park sensibly. Check current parking arrangements before travel.

Check before visiting

Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible according to the supplied place record. The walk includes uneven and boggy ground, steep inclines and a narrow trail near cliffs; it may be challenging.

Cost

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Water

Sea