Ardnamurchan

Scotland > West of Scotland > Argyll > Ardnamurchan

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula stretches from Salen in the east to Ardnamurchan Point in the west - the most westerly point on mainland UK.

Access is either by road (B8007) along the windy 22 miles of single-track or by vehicle ferry from Tobermory in Mull to Kilchoan, the main village on the peninsula which has two hotels, a shop and petrol station. There is also plenty of self catering and B&B accommodation available.

The road into the peninsula is tricky in places but the journey along the south coastal road through Glenborrodale, above Camus Nan Geall and past Loch Mudle is well worth it - this is one of the most picturesque road journeys in Scotland with views over Loch Sunart and Sound of Mull to Mull and Morvern to the south and, just after Loch Mudle, fantastic panoramas north over the Small Isles of Muck, Rum and Eigg.

The terrain is mostly hilly with Ben Hiant (528m) being prominent. Most of the land here is owned by Ardnamurchan Estates one of the more progressive landowners in the Highlands and the estate lands are very well kept. The roads are open on either side so be careful of the sheep, cattle and red deer - of which there are many.

You can walk almost anywhere, within reason, but check with the estate office during the stalking and lambing seasons.

Loch fishing is plentiful but here again, check with the Estate Office in Kilchoan for licenses and further information.

Everyone should visit Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point on the British mainland. Many don't realise that it lies 20 miles further west than Land's End.

The lighthouse (tours every half hour from 10.30-4.30 right up to the balcony) was designed by Alan Stevenson, father of Robert Louis Stevenson, in 1846 and built by Robert Hume – the completion date being 1849. The stone used in construction is pink granite from the Ross of Mull; each individual stone in the tower has been shaped to lock together. It is 114 ft high, with 140 stone steps inside the tower, then two ladders each of twelve steps which take you to the lamp house. It has a revolving light of some 27,000 candle power, giving two flashes every 30 seconds, its range being 20 miles.

The lighthouse at Ardnamurchan point has a vista very rarely surpassed in the UK. Standing at the most westerly point of the UK mainland it has views over the Small isles of Muck, Eigg, the mountains of Rum to the rear with Canna tucked in behind. Skye lies behind with the Cuillins clearly visible. Coll (with Tiree behind) and the “Dutchman’s Cap” lie just south of west with Mull to the south. You could sit here for hours just watching the boats and yachts going by and with the help of a pair of binoculars or a telescope, explore the seas for whales, porpoises, seals and a myriad sea birds gliding by.

On a clear day (better on a crisp clear day in winter) you can see as far as the Western Isles (North and South Uist) but don’t expect that too often!

The Lighthouse perimeter has a small visitor centre which is well worth taking in and you can walk nearly everywhere in this area – always talking heed of the sheep and the stalking season. If in doubt ask for advice.

Further up the coast to the north lies Portuairk on Sanna Bay, an excellent place for a pic-nic lying on the beach or exploring the sands. If birdwatching, look out for Greater and lesser black backed herring and common gulls, Arctic and common tern,Merganser, eider duck, black guillemot, shag, cormorant, heron ,curlew, oystercatcher, sandpiper, ringed plover, hooded crow and rock pipit.

Achnaha sits in the epicentre of a huge extinct volcano of which there are excellent geographic aerial pictures in the Sonachan Hotel.

Co-ordinates given are for the village of Kilchoan.