As part of our series celebrating the beauty of the Uists, this cache takes you to a rarely visited, but really lovely area in South Uist. Our cache, An Tobhta, is based on the south side of Loch Skipport whereas this cache is on the north side near the remains of the ruins at East Gerinish.
We love walking here as it is truly peaceful and beautiful - you really will have very little chance of muggles!!
Be aware that this walk. although mostly along a distinct path, can be really wet. We recommend appropriate footwear, but when we walked this a year ago it was totally dry!
The walk from the parking waypoint should take about 30 minutes each way. You begin at the end of the road down a grassy track past a modern house and a traditional croft house, now with windows and door missing. Simply follow this track, ignoring the turn to the left that you might notice early on (though it is less distinct than the path you are following). You will need to pass through four gates in total. After the third gate you will notice the remains of a house to your left. We believe this to be the old school teacher's house. After passing the fourth gate and crossing a very small bridge over a stream you will see on your left the remains of the old school. All that is obvious now is the wall round the school, the pillars for the gates and the steps that would have led into the school building. If you explore, though, you can see the outline of the foundations of the school.
Look around the hillsides and you might make out various ruins that would have been the community here. The path you are walking along would have been the "main road" through the community - it is simply the peaty soil raised up to provide a slightly drier path. Think of the school children going to school here barefoot. The community here was once reasonably large with one family apparently sending 13 children to the school.
Time to move on, though. Follow the path until you come to a large stone on your left. On the right hand side, at that point, you should see the largest hillock in the area - this is where the cache is to be found. Pick your way to the top and then follow your GPS to the spot. You are looking for a black, plastic ammo can.
At the time of placement we put in a painted stone and a rain mac for the first and second to finds (FTF gets to choose)! There is a log, a couple of pens and a pencil.
Please note that the west side of South Uist is a haven for ticks. We have been advised that there is a particularly heavy infestation during May/June 2019. Either avoid the area during this time or take special precautions such as those advised here