Castle Varich (or some spell it as Castle Varrich), is located beside the beautiful village of Tongue, a stunning area on the north coast of Scotland. This 2-mile walk makes a great stop along the NC 500 to get out and stretch your legs. With the views as incredible as they are, you will not be disappointed!
The castle’s precise origins and age are unknown. However, many believe the castle was built in the 1400s and was once occupied by the Mackays.
The walk is only a short walk along well-marked paths. However, you do have to be prepared to climb a short elevation of 87 metres (286 feet). Good footwear is also highly recommended, with correct outdoor clothing.
Location
The walk starts and finishes in the coastal village of Tongue, on the north coast of Scotland. It lies on the east shore of the picturesque Kyle of Tongue.
Parking
There isn’t a lot of parking in the village of Tongue. When we visited, it wasn’t busy and we could easily get parked. However, in peak season I can imagine it does get busy. We parked in the small car park on Main Street, opposite Ben Loyal Hotel.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
1.
Starting at the car park, outside the Ben Loyal Hotel, head north for a very short distance. You should see a singpost on your left-hand side, marking the start of the Castle Varich trail. Take the trail and follow the footpath down towards the river, and over the wooden bridge.
2.
Take the footpath going off to your right-hand side. Continue to follow the footpath as it leads you uphill towards the castle.
3.
At the castle there are stairs which allow you to climb to the top. Climb to the top and enjoy the views overlooking the Kyle of Tongue.
4.
After speding some time taking in on the incredible views, start to make you way back down. Retrace your footsteps back along the same footpath, back to where you started the route from.
If you are unsure, remeber to use the map to help to navigate!
Enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk in Scotland, please check out some of my other walk guides:
For more information about Tongue, and what else there is to see in the area, please check out this website:
https://www.scotland.org.uk/guide/places/tongue-guide
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