Walk

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.

The austere rugged profile of Ben Hiant (528m) dominates the northern shore of Loch Sunart of the Ardnamurchan peninsula with its bare rock exposures and jutting outcrops. This is a lovely low level hill walk with stunning views on a fine day of the Small Isles, Mull and Skye, Loch Sunart and Loch Teacius, and the hills of Morvern. 

The wee yellow road ends at Fascadale, where you can park and explore the small beach of follow the coastal footpath to Port Eigin-aig and onwards to the desserted village of Glendrian in the heart of the Ardnamurchan volcano.  The walk passes across moorland and is a little indistinct in places and can be pretty boggy too.  One for the more adventorous explorer though with good opportunities for spotting red deer, golden and white-tailed eagles.

There is a small parking area at the end of the road at Ockle.  From here you can explore some nearby archeological sites or take off on the coastal footpath towards The Singing Sands at Gortenfern. The walk passes through heathland with some stunning coastal and hill views, with particularly fine views to the Small Isles, Mull and Skye and is a stunning walk across a wild rugged terrain.

The Ariundle National Nature Reserve is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year, and there are two lovely walks through the woods and hills.  The Reserve is a fine example of ancient coastal Atlantic oakwood and is recognised for its old oaks supporting a huge diversity and abundance of ferns.

There is a Forestry Commission carpark at the end of the road to Ariundle with interpreation boards and a map of the walk options.

The RSPB reserve at Glenborrodale is located on the hills beside Loch Sunart and consists of Atlantic oak woodland, heath and bog. Over 130 birds have been reported within or in the vicinity of the reserve, including the coast and surrounding waters. These include merlin, redstart, skylark, tree pipit, spotted flycatcher, wheatear, whinchat and wood warbler. Look along the coastline of Loch Sunart for common sandpiper, turnstone, oystercatcher and white-tailed eagle.

There is a nature trail through the reserve and guided walks are available on Wednesday afternoon in season.

Tobermory is the main town (capital) in Mull on the north-east of the island. Its colourful buildings along the harbour have become famous in the children’s TV series, Balamory and are home to a wide variety of shops, restuarants, pubs, tearooms as well as The Mull Museum showcasing the history of Mull.  There is also a distillery, theatre, marine interpretation centre and several willdife tour comapnies start their Island tours from here.