The Area
Dramatic
scenery, the fresh open-air, remote and rugged hills, beautiful
sandy bays, forest walks, otters, seals, golden eagles, red
deer, wild cats, historic castles, bloody battles, whale-watching,
fishing, sailing, Balamory, Iona, skiing, tobogganing, geology,
whisky stills, tartan mills, steam trains, waterfalls…..
However
many of these appeal to you - all are within easy reach from
Eriskay.
Ardnamurchan Peninsula
The
road west from Strontian markes the start of the Ardnamurchan
peninsula. It’s end is the westernmost tip of mainland
Britain (20 miles further west than Lands End) with grand views
to the outer Hebrides and a fine lighthouse (with visitor centre
and café). Nearby Sanna beach is one of Scotland’s
“top ten beaches”: white sand and blue seas can
be found in this country! The warming effect of the Gulf Stream
ensures a mild climate year-round.
The
journey along the peninsula is an ever-changing vista of loch,
sea, mountains and forests with dramatic views opening up on
almost every turn.
The
whole peninsular has numerous formally marked forest walks and
nature trails, with excellent information provided.
Loch Sunart
This
long, tidal sea-loch takes centre stage of your view from Eriskay.
On both sides, its shoreline is fringed with ancient atlantic
oakwoods filled with flora and fauna. At nearby Ardery, a wildlife
hide close to the road allows views of seals and otters. One
stunning walk is on the track that continues along the southern
shore after the end of the public road at Laudale.
Beaches
White
sandy beaches are a feature of this coastline. The Gulf Stream
ensures a mild climate all year round. On a summers day, you
could (almost) be in paradise; on a stormy day you’ll
be awed by the size of the waves and swell coming in off the
Atlantic. Our personal favourites are: Sanna Beach (near Ardnamurchan
Point), Ardtoe beach (near Acharacle), Camusdarach Beach (on
the coast road south of Morar) and, (a 45 minute walk west from
Arivegaig near Acharacle) the ‘singing sands’. The
latter earns its name from the curious sound that scuffing your
heel along the beach makes. Think ‘squeak’ more
than ‘song’, but the beach and the views are well
worth the walk!
Castle Tioram
Just
minutes from Eriskay is beautiful Castle Tioram, historic seat
of the MacDonalds of Clanranald. It was burned by in 1715 on
the orders of the 14th Chief of the Clan, according to legend
due after a premonition of failure in the rising against the
English. The ruins stand on a tidal island accessible by foot
at low tide, flanked by cliffs on which wild cats and pine martens
have been seen.
Tobermory - or Balamory!
A
ferry-ride away from nearby Lochaline is the island of Mull,
whose capital Tobermory, with its harbour surrounded with brightly
painted houses is better known to a generation of children as
Balamory. You can either reach Mull via Lochaline, or you can
drive down the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and use the ferry from
Kilchoan. Using both routes is a great way to construct a grand
round trip.
Iona
The
cradle of Scottish Christianity, this fascinating island is
just off the western coast of Mull - a 5 minute passenger ferry
ride from Fhionnport. The restored Abbey is the centerpiece
of this incredible island.
Fancy a spot of fishing - or hunting for whales or basking
sharks?
Fishing
or day boats can be hired on Loch Sunart and nearby Lochs Doilet
and Sheil. Ferries operate from Mallaig or Arisaig to the islands
of Skye, Eigg, Rum and Muck; in summer these are complemented
by other cruise operators who also visit dramatic isolated lochs,
and keep watch for whales and basking sharks, summer visitors
to these waters. These huge creatures grow to between 8 and
10 metres and have a mouth more than 1 metre wide. Fortunately,
they only feed on plankton! Cruises are also available on Loch
Sunart from Laga Bay.
Hill walking and mountain climbing
Nearby
Bheinn Resipol (2,807 ft) provides a long and strenuous although
not technically challenging climb. Between the Corran Ferry
and Strontian is Garbh Bienn (Garven, 2,684ft). This forms part
of an excellent horseshoe walk and is also a magnet for rock-climbers:
hidden away from the road are buttresses, gullies and ridges
some of which were deemed ‘unclimbable’ as recently
as the 1940’s. Crossing back over the Corran Ferry, a
huge choice of high, complex and challenging ‘Monroes’
(mountains over 3,000ft) awaits you. The grandest of all, arguably
the only real mountain in Britain, is Ben Nevis (4,406 ft).
It towers above Fort William and the surrounding area and looking
particularly dramatic from the north and west. The start of
the path to the summit is just a 5 minute car journey from the
town.
Slighty less strenuous are.....
If
you don’t fancy the 3 hour climb to the summit of Ben
Nevis, but want some Highland Grandeur, you could always:
Take the Nevis Range cable-car up to 3,000 ft to the ski-slopes
(in winter) for a panoramic view of Ben Nevis and the Great
Glen. You do feel ‘on top of the world’ and can
even enjoy a meal up there!
Join the ‘Jacobite’ steam train from Fort William
to Mallaig (now immortalised in Harry Potter). The
West Highland line was one of the last railway lines built in
Britain (it was opened in 1901); it was the first to use concrete
in the construction of its bridges and viaducts – both
of which are required as it makes the dramatic journey along
glens, under mountains and by the sea. Even out of season the
regular Scotrail service is worth taking for the view.
Walk further up the Glen Nevis gorge and see the 300 foot Steall
Waterfall. From the end of the road in Glen Nevis leads a path
that will offer you probably the closest vision of the Himalayas
you’ll find in this country. Walk it and be thankful that
the proposed HEP scheme was never built…!
Glen Coe is less than 30 minutes from the log cabin. This beautiful
but haunting glen was the site of the 1692 ‘Massacre of
Glencoe’. A visitor centre recounts the tragic tale of
the McDonalds and the Campbells.
Visit Fort William (30 minutes) or Oban (1 hour). Both have
a wide variety of shops and restaurants, as well as plenty of
tourist attractions.
We
have a comprehensive list of visitor attractions as well as
our own home-produced touring guides (with all those ‘secret’
gems revealed) available in the log cabin.
So,
what are you waiting for? Come and join us in this inspirational
corner of Scotland.....
