The Strontian Hotel is small family run hotel in Strontian on the shores of Loch Sunart with stunning coastal views. The Strontain Hotel offers a good selection of rooms, ranging from well appointed single, double and twin rooms with ensuite facilities, to a luxurious suite of two rooms (Sunart Suite) and an apartment with a kitchenette (Sunart Apartment).
There is a lovely cosy bothy bar which offers a good selection of whiskies and real ales. It is a great place to relax and enjoy a tasty bar meal. The Dungallon's restaurant offers a more formal dining experience.
As well as being a top dragonfly stalking site, The Gaelic Alphabet Trail provides an interesting introduction to the importance of nature and plants to the Gaelic culture. The information boards in the car park, just east of Salen on the A861, introduce the Gaelic alphabet which has eighteen letters, each of which is associated with a species of tree.
Sailean Nan Cuileag, or The Bay of Flies, is a natural harbour formerly used to export goods, such as charcoal, oak bark and brushwood. The Viking's were also reputed to have stored their boats over winter in the harbour.
Ben Resipole, a Corbett, is the highest peak on the Ardnamurchan, and affords spectacular views of Loch Shiel, Loch Sunart, the Small Isles and Skye on a clear day. The route is strenuous and the path is muddy and indistinct in places. However, the walk is enriched by the changing vegetation as you climb from Atlantic oakwood to birchwood, to moorland following the ailt mhic chiarain watercourse and then onto the rocky summit. You can park and start the walk by Resipole Holiday Park, though please check at reception if you leave your car there.
Salen is small coastal village on the shores of Loch Sunart overlooking Salen Bay and not to confused with Salen on the Isle Of Mull. The Gaelic name for the village reflects its "small inlet" location which has provided a safe anchorage for centuries. The village is served by The Salen Hotel, a traditional Highland Hotel, built in the Victorian era, which is a great place for a pub lunch or evening meal. There is also a jetty, with visitor moorings, and shop (The Salen Jetty Shop), where you can purchase local produce and crafts, as well as refreshments.
Venture into the wilds of Sunart and head out on the wee yellow road from Strontian, through Scotstown, over the hills, the steep steep hills, and down into Polloch. The road is steep and bendy, though worth the journey as it takes you into the wild depths of Sunart and Moidart. There is a lovely Forestry Commission walk from a small car park at Polloch taking you to the shores of Loch Shiel where you can look for eagles, otters and divers as well as stopping for a picnic on a particulary well positioned bench overlooking Loch Shiel (we always do). You can also cycle along
A lovely circular walk over moorland, woodland and along the banks of the Strontian River to Scotstown and Ardnastaing. The walk provides a good opportunity to enjoy the fauna and flora associated with deciduous and coniferous woodland, heath land and riparian habitats. The ground flora is particular lovely in Spring and Summer, with range of spring woodland flowers and, later in the year, a resplendence of orchids and the heath flora.
