Brandarsaig is a lovely spot just over half way between the car park at Orbost and Macleod's Maidens (GC2YFYF). If you are fortunate enough to have clear weather you will be rewarded with superb views along the way. As you descend to the deserted village from the bealach between Beinn na Moine and Beinn na Boineid, you will see the islands of Rùm and Canna on the horizon. The Isles of Muck and Eigg are just hidden from view. Soon the nearer islands of Harlosh, Tarner and Wiay come into view. Otta Swire, whose family once owned the Orbost Estate, tells of a man who was born in Eigg, raised on Rum and lived in Muck. Personally, I Canna believe it. (Swire, Skye: 'The island and its Legends' – well worth reading if you love Skye)
If you sit on the (now broken) bench look up to your left to Beinn na Moine – you may be lucky enough to spot a pair of eagles up as I did the day I placed the cache.
Man has lived or visited this area since prehistoric times. In June 1989, a leaf shaped arrowhead was discovered by a contract worker planting trees near here. In pale, white flint the arrowhead is probably 3-4,000 years old.
(http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/77971/details/skye+brandarsaig/)
The visible ruins are, of course, more recent. In the 18th and early 19th century this would have been a small but thriving settlement, reached by sea rather than by road and track. Look around and you will see evidence of lazy beds or rig cultivation. Kelp (seaweed) was brought up from the beach and piled up on top of the shallow soil in parallel lines with drainage channels in between. I often wonder who on earth first called them “lazy” beds.
The village was cleared in the early 19th century, by the then owner William Macleod, to provide grazing for sheep – deemed to be more profitable than crofters! It is believed that at least one of the buildings was still in use by a shepherd up to the second, world war.
The cache is a small plastic click box in a camo bag. Contains log book, pencil, pencil sharpener and a few swappables.
"This cache is placed with kind permission of HIE who purchased Orbost Estate in 1997 in order to create new opportunities for sustainable rural development in this remote area."