The forecast was for grey skies and showers so we headed up the west side of Trotternish. There are a few Places of Interest around Kilmuir township which are wheelchair accessible. Sarah managed most with her rollator or walking sticks. We will explain out findings one place at a time so you can decide. The first place we stopped at was the 2000 year old Kilvaxter Souterrain.
Kilvaxter Souterrain
Take the A855 north out of Uig and you will find Kilvaxter Souterrain about 5 miles away on the right hand side of the road. It is just after large white Kilmuir Church of Scotland. There is a spacious gravel and tarmac car park with a large information board. Next to the board is a small gate but further to your left is a large metal gate signed for disabled access.
It is a relatively short distance across the grassy paddock to reach the souterrain. However the ground is quite bumpy and turns into a narrow gravel track. With help from Melanie, Sarah did manage with her rollator despite it getting stuck a few times. It is good to have a friend who lifts your rollator wheels out of holes!
Very soon you arrive at the entrance to the 2000 year old souterrain. You have quite literally been walking on top of the souterrain as you have walked over the paddock. The entrance is down a small slope to another information board.
Inside Kilvaxter Souterrain
The souterrain was only discovered in May 2000. After a spell of heavy rain a hole appeared in the field exposing the stonework underneath. Over the following years the site was restored, and in 2006 it was opened to the public. Now we will be honest you need very good mobility to go inside the souterrain. The passage is dark, low and narrow. The entrance lintels are one of the lowest parts. Apart from an air vent further down the passage there is no natural daylight either. So do take a good torch if you are thinking of going inside.
We only had a mobile phone torch with us so Melanie ventured about a metre into the souterrain. Mainly so we have a couple of photos to show you. She was fully crouched down on her haunches at this point . The drystone walls and heavy lintels of the passageway roof were very visible. In the gloomy distance the passage turned away to the left. On the left just after the entrance was a small chamber. Melanie had to reverse out backwards in a crouching position as there was little room to turn around. With a better torch and either some old or waterproof trousers it would be fun to explore further.
Despite not being able to enter the souterrain Sarah could leave her rollator by the information board and use her sticks to get to the entrance and have a wee peek inside. Nearly all of the souterrains on Skye are inaccessible to anyone who cannot walk unaided so this tiny glimpse is quite a privileged view into the islands past.
Facilities!
On a clear day there are great views from the Iron Age Souterrain over to the Ascrib Islands and Waternish Head. Just one last point to note is that the nearest disabled toilets are not close by. They are either near the ferry terminal in Uig or in Staffin on the west side. Make sure you plan well!
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