Skye Marble Line: Things to Do

Summary

The Marble Line is located a mile south of the village of Broadford in the southern half of the Isle of Skye.

This long-abandoned railway line was used to transport marble from a quarry 2 miles further south, but it has now been converted into a footpath that allows visitors to explore the clearance villages of Boreraig and Suisnish as well as the Strath Suardal valley.

The highlights

1: Walking the Marble Line is a great way to see an often-missed part of the Isle of Skye. Admittedly it’s not up to the standards of scenery you’ll see at The Quiraing, but it’s very pretty nonetheless thanks to the dramatic Red Cuillin mountains to the north.

2: The Marble Line offers a glimpse into a long-lost industry that was integral to Skye’s economy. Visiting the remains of the railway is a wonderful way to experience a historic site on the island that makes a nice change from the usual tourist hotspots.

3: Perhaps the best feature of the Marble Line is the fact it joins the footpath that winds its way to the Highland Clearance village of Boreraig, meaning visitors get to experience two historic sites on one walking trail.

Visiting tips

1: If you’re just visiting the Marble Line you have the option of either walking or cycling it. The route is predominantly a firm and level gravelled surface that can easily be cycled in an hour.

If you’re intending to continue on to Boreraig it’s best to walk as there are a couple of fences with stiles along the way that block cycle access.

2: The Red Cuillin mountains are located to the north of the abandoned railway and are a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes open for eagles on the hunt for their next meal as well as herds of red deer.

Don’t have binoculars yet? Check out my recommended budget birdwatching binoculars.

3: It would be very difficult to get lost on the Marble Line route, but it’s advisable to take a map and compass if walking the route in winter as snowfall can obscure the path very quickly.

In addition, Skye is renowned for its changeable weather (there’s a reason it’s called ‘the misty isle’) so pack additional warm waterproof clothing.

Overview

The southern region of Skye between the Cuillin mountains and the Sleat Peninsula is one of the less-visited parts of the island, primarily due to the fact all the ‘big’ attractions are located to the north.

While coachloads of tourists pack places like Portree, the Quiraing, and the Fairy Pools, those in the know can head to the area south of the village of Broadford to enjoy a landscape that’s captivatingly scenic yet is free from the maddening crowds found elsewhere on Skye.

Broadford itself is a small village overlooking the Inner Sound and Broadford Bay which makes an ideal base for excursions deep into the Cuillin mountains, thanks to a large car park, supermarket, and petrol station in the village’s centre.

There are a number of options for walks from the village, but one highly-recommended option is following the Marble Line that starts half a mile south on the B8083.

As its name suggests, the Marble Line is a converted railway that had a former life transporting valuable Skye marble from a quarry 2 miles south of Broadford.

This marble was formed 500 million years ago in the shadow of the Red Cuillins and is, in fact, the only seam of true marble in Britain.

The marble saw use in many grand buildings in Scotland including Iona Abbey and Armadale Castle and was even used in the Vatican, and while it’s no longer mined today its rarity means genuine pieces are now used in jewellery rather than building materials.

Skye marble was extracted from Strath Suardal in Torrin for many centuries, first by hand and later by machine, to the point where a railway was constructed in 1907 to cope with the ever-increasing quantities.

This 3.5-mile railway transported marble from the quarry at Suardale to Broadford pier where it was then shipped to British manufacturing plants, but rising costs saw the venture fail within a few years, and it was liquidated in 1913.

The track was abandoned until the early 2000s when a local community project saw it transformed into a safe walking route between Broadford and Kilchrist, with the track-bed of the railway used as the basis for a level, gravelled path.

Access to the Marble Line is possible from 2 locations on the B8083, the first of which is a gated fence half a mile from Broadford, and the second a rough track close to Kilchrist Church.

From Broadford, the route to the quarry and back is approximately 5 miles which should take around 3 hours to complete on a return walk.

However, it’s possible to extend it by continuing past the quarry to the remains of the clearance village at Boreraig (see my complete guide to Boreraig for more information).

The quarry has several remnants of the old railway including a winding wheel and a dilapidated station, but the highlight of getting to this point is the view, which is nothing short of spectacular.

The Red Cuillins stand majestic against the low-lying surrounding landscape, and they’re especially attractive in the morning and evening sun when the granite of the mountains takes on its famous reddish hue.

All in all, this is a relatively short, but very pleasant walk into an often-missed region of Skye that offers memorable views and a historic site – plus another one if continuing on the footpath to Boreraig.

Tourist information

The best place to start the Marble Line walk is from Broadford village as there’s ample car parking. Follow the A87 towards Portree and take the turning left down the B8083 next to the Broadford Hotel.

Continue along the footpath out of Broadford where it rises uphill close to a conifer plantation. At this point, look for a signed path with a gated fence on the left-hand side.

Go through the gate and follow the path, which shortly joins the Marble Line.

From here onwards the path is level and does not deviate, so simply keep to it and enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye on the skyline for buzzards and eagles.

The quarry is located 2.5 miles out of Broadford and you’ll immediately know when you’re nearing it as the final section rises up a moderately steep grass incline.

Just before this point there’s an unmarked track which heads north towards the Church of Kilchrist which adds a 1-mile detour onto the walk, but it’s well worth seeing the ruined church and its amazing views over Loch Cill Chriosd.

The quarry marks the end of the Marble Line but there’s the option to extend it by another 2.5 miles to explore the Highland Clearance village of Boreraig.

The path to the village is unmarked from the quarry, but it’s the only one that continues south.

Alternatively, return to Broadford on the same route for a total 3-hour walk.

For an overview of Skye, read: The Complete Guide to The Isle of Skye.

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Things to do nearby

James Ross Park. Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AB. Small park near Broadford car park which overlooks Broadford Bay. A footpath runs from the park along the shoreline of the bay heading north to Corry.

Irishman’s Point. Corry, Isle of Skye. A 30-minute walk from Broadford. This small vantage point on the northwest side of Broadford Bay is a popular area for walking. There are rough footpaths along the shoreline heading west which offer superb views of the Isle of Scalpay.

Ashaig Beach. A87, Isle of Skye, IV42 8PZ. 8-minute drive. A small beach that backs an aerodrome. The shallow water of the inlets surrounding the beach is a popular spot for kayaking.

Beinn na Caillich. Isle of Skye, IV49 9AL. This mountain is one of the Red Cuillins. It has an elevation of 2,402 feet and is designated as a Graham. The horseshoe-shaped walk to the summit is superb, though some scrambling is required towards the top.

Isle of Scalpay. Isle of Skye, IV49 9BS. Scalpay is situated offshore of the mainland north of Broadford. At its nearest point, it’s only 1,000 feet across Loch na Cairidh so it’s easily accessed by kayak.

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Frequently asked questions