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FOUR WALKS
CASTLETOWN HERITAGE
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BATTERY WALK FLAGSTONE WALK BIRKLE HILL WALK OLRIG HILL WALK

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BATTERY WALK

Rough Coastal Track - 1hr - 2.25 miles

As Flagstone Walk 1,2 and 3 then

  • Follow rough track between carpark and Heritage trail.

  • Head for the sea shore past the ruined quarry cottages. On left is the remains of a broch.

  • After about 3/4 mile of track, just before you head uphill onto 'Battery Road'. Here you will see the remains of a cannon battery, used in the Victorian times by the local Regiment.

  • At the top of 'Battery Road' cross the road to the Motel and return to the village.

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FLAGSTONE WALK

Hard Surface

Popular, easy walk - 45mins - 1.75 miles

  • From the village carpark follow the road towards the sea. At the far end of the flagstone trail carpark is access to the Sculpture trail, part of the recently planted community woodland, where modern uses of flagstone can be seen.
  • Below the carpark you can access the flagstone trail which depicts the area's flagstone heritage. Five hundred people were once employed here.
  • Follow the road past the harbour, where flagstones were once shipped to cities worldwide-Sydney, Dunedin, Calcutta and Montevideo.
  • Opposite the harbour, the archways and railings are a reminder of James Traill's mansion which stood here until destroyed by fire in 1967.
  • Follow the roadway until the old mill from where grain was shipped to the continent.
  • To reach the village, you pass on your right through the policy woodlands, planted by James Traill.
  • On returning to the village, you pass on your right, the premises of 'Castletown Heritage'.

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BIRKLE HILL WALK

Country Road Walk, include a section of rough track

2hrs - 4 miles

  • From the Post Office follow the Wick road where on your right stands the Traill Hall donated to the village by Margaret Traill.
  • Continue on to the school, turn right at the carpark.
  • Continue up the road past the school you will see on your right a burial mound in the field.
  • Follow the road as it bears left at the lodge.
  • Turn left downhill, where the road bears right, towards the now disused Birkle Hill Quarry where the track becomes paved with flagstone which have grooves worn in them from cart wheels.
  • Continue down the track back to the village.

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OLRIG HILL WALK

Hill Walk

2hrs - 5 miles

As Birkle Hill Walk 1 - 5

  • Where road bears left, continue up the hill on the track to the spectacular viewpoint.
  • Returning back down the track, turn left onto the tarred track and follow it past Olrig Mains Farm until you arrive at the remains of St Trothan's Kirk.
  • Turn left at the cemetary, then right at the crossroads, and follow the road back to the village past Norfrost.

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