7. Ardnamurchan Distillery

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  7. Ardnamurchan Distillery
  

World class single malt scotch whisky

The Ardnamurchan Distillery opened in July 2014 producing two signature styles of spirit. A number of whiskies from the Adelphi range are on sale in the Vistor Centre shop and tasting tours are run throughout the year. The Visitor Centre and Shop, sells a wide range of limited edition whiskies, whisky publications, exclusive clothing and locally hand-crafted items, is open six days a week, and they offer a selection of Distillery Tours. Please visit their website for times of opening and tour prices.

6. Ardnamurchan Volcano

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  6. Ardnamurchan Volcano
  

Shaped by Thousands of Years

When you drive along the wild and lonely road from Kilchoan to Sanna on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, you find yourself passing through a low-lying, almost moon-like terrain that is fringed on all sides by lumpy black hills.

There are no trees or landmarks to break up the flatness, and even the burn which cuts a shallow groove through the landscape seems to be unsure about its sense of direction.

You are, in fact, travelling through the magma chamber of an extinct volcano – or what remains of it.

Getting there

To get to the wildlife hide from the cottage, follow the B8007 west towards Kilchoan. A short distance after Kilchoan, look out for the signpost to Sanna, which takes you on an even more minor road (if that’s possible!) The last stretch of the road before Sanna, around Achnaha, runs through the middle of the volcano.. The volcano is located in the area of Achnaha. This journey from the Cottage should take around 50 Minutes. PH36 4LW is the nearest postcode.

4. Ardnamurchan Lighthouse

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  4. Ardnamurchan Lighthouse
  

19th Century lighthouse

The 36 metre granite tower soars 55 metres above the rocks, and was built in 1849 using granite from the Island of Mull. It was designed by Alan Stevenson, uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson, whose family designed most of Scotland’s lighthouses over a period of 150 years. It is the only lighthouse in the world designed in an “Egyptian“ style. Like all the other lighthouses in Scotland, Ardnamurchan now operates automatically, but the tower remains fully operational and still plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of all ships navigating the waters off Scotland’s west coast.

The former keepers’ cottages and outbuildings have been managed by the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust since 1996. They are now operated as a visitor centre, offering the chance to learn more about Scottish lighthouses and the flora and fauna of the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

Getting there

To get to the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse from the cottage, follow the B8007 west towards Laga. Follow this road until you to Kilchoan, turning right just before you reach the centre, signposted B8007 and Lighthouse. There is a left turn, signposted Lighthouse before you reach Portuairk. This journey from the Cottage should take around 50 Minutes. PH36 4LN is the nearest postcode.

10. Sanna Sands

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  10. Sanna Sands
  

Sanna Bay is situated on the most westerly point in mainland Britain on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

Dominated by beautiful white, shell sand and turquoise sea, the bay is well-known for its magnificent beach and coastal scenery. There are superb views of the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna and often dolphins and whales in the water. On the land there are generous views, dramatic seascapes and the possibility of catching a glimpse of some of Scotland’s most elusive wildlife, including sea eagles, otters and pine martens.

Getting there

Sanna Bay is a drive, but through beautiful scenery and well worth the distance (especially when combined with a visit to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse (attraction 4). On the drive through Ardnamurchan peninsula look for deer and eagles – both the Golden Eagle and the White Tailed Sea Eagle.

Turn left out of Camas Inas on the B8007 towards Glenborrodale. Follow the B8007 all the way to Kilchoan. Keep right at Kilchoan, still on the B8007 towards the Lighthouse. After a short distance take a right fork, signposted Sanna, and follow to the end, keeping left where the road splits. You are now driving in and around the Ardnamuchan Volcano (attraction 6). There is parking when you reach Sanna Sands.

11. Castle Tioram

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  11. Castle Tioram
  

Castle Tioram is one of the most remarkable castles on Scotland’s western seaboard and, given the nature of the site and Scotland’s part in “dark age” and medieval European history, is a monument of European dimension and importance.

It is also a castle of great beauty, whose ruined state poetically sums up its history. Once a centre of power of the medieval Lordship of the Isles, and later of the Macdonalds of Clanranald, it was burnt on the orders of the last chief of the direct line when he set off to join the doomed Jacobite rising of 1715.
The beauty of the castle is enhanced even more at high tide when it becomes its own island. Do take note of tide times when visiting as at high tide you can get stranded, or at least get your feet wet on the walk back!
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/acharacle/castletioram/index.html

There is a coastal walk from Tioram – the Silver Walk. The scenery is stunning, although the path is a little worn and tricky in places (with steep drops) so perhaps not suitable to young children.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/castletioram.shtml

Photo by Gary Cooke

Getting there

At the Salen Hotel, turn left on the A861 towards Acharacle. Continue through Acharacle, keeping right on the A861 towards Glenuig/Lochailort. Shortly after you’ve crossed the bridge over Loch Shiel there is a fork to the left signposted Dorlin – follow this to the end (single track and a little bumpy but worth it).

8. Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide

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  8. Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide
  

Spot seals, herons and otters on Loch Sunart

It’s easy to reach this hide, just a short drive from the cottage, where you can soak up superb Loch Sunart views as you watch for the local wildlife. Common seals often bask on the shores of Garbh Eilean (the ‘Rough Island’), and there is a heronry on the smaller island beside it. At different times of the year you should also see a range of seabirds over the loch and, if you’re lucky, rarer species such as golden eagles and white tailed eagles.

The distinctive hide was built by local people, using locally grown and milled wood. It blends in beautifully with the landscape. There are binoculars and a telescope at the hide, so you’ll get an even better view of whatever’s out there as well as being able to talk to an expert. The shores of Loch Sunart are home to some of the finest temperate oakwoods in the British Isles. These are remnants of an extensive band of coastal woodland that once stretched down the Atlantic coast of Europe from Norway and Scotland as far as Spain and Portugal.

Getting there

To get to the wildlife hide from the cottage, follow the B8007 east towards Salen. Once you have reached the A861 Junction turn right and follow the A861 along the coast until you see signs for Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide on your right. This journey from the Cottage should take around 20 Minutes. PH36 4HY is the nearest postcode.

9. Dumbledore’s Island

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  9. Dumbledore’s Island
  

Dumbledore’s Island (and other Harry Potter locations)

Much of the filming for the Harry Potter movies took place in the beautiful highlands. The most famous being the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber (attraction 5) and Dumbledore’s Island.

The Island of trees, Eilean na Moine, located on Loch Eilt, Lochaber is the setting for Dumbledore’s grave. Located on the A830 towards Glenfinnan from Lochailort. At Mallaig there are a couple of shops specialising in Harry Potter merchandise.

Other local Harry Potter backdrops are

Loch Shiel, Lochaber – this mesmerising loch is used many times as the backdrop to Hogwarts. Loch Shiel is the location of the Black Lake and can be seen in both the Prisoner of Azkaban and the Half Blood Prince.

Harry and Hermione are seen looking out over the loch from the Astronomy Tower at the end of the 6th film.

Loch Morar, Lochaber – this beautiful lake was used in many of the films for close up shots of Hogwarts Lake. Making its first appearance in the Prisoner of Azkaban the lake, which is rumored to contain the Morag monster, can be seen in several of the films. During the making of the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hogwarts Lake was shot using Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt and Loch Morar.

Getting there

At the Salen Hotel, turn left on the A861 towards Acharacle. Continue through Acharacle staying on the A861 through Glenuig to Lochailort. At the t-junction turn right on the A830 towards Glenfinnan. You will pass Loch Eilt on the right – look for the train track on either side of the loch and for Dumbledore’s island.

12. Tobermory (and Mull)

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  12. Tobermory (and Mull)
  

Amongst the Inner Hebrides, off the West Coast of Scotland lie the Isle of Mull and Isle of Iona. Together with Mull’s idyllic offshore islands, they provide an outstanding abundance of scenery, culture and wildlife to discover.

Experience the natural beauty of the rugged cliffs, silver-sand beaches, dramatic mountains, ancient forests, and flowering machair. Combined with the sparkling lochs, rivers and waterfalls, the islands of Mull and Iona are a simply breathtaking place to visit.

Throughout the islands, there is evidence of a captivating past. From early Viking settlers to stories of the Spanish Armada. Explore the ruins of ancient sites, dramatic historic monuments and evocative deserted townships. There are centuries of history for you to uncover.

Tobermory is the main town on the island of Mull. The port with its colourful harbour-front buildings was the setting of children’s TV show Balamory.

Tobermory (Tobar Mhoire – Well of Mary), capital of Mull, is one of the prettiest ports in Scotland, thanks to the colourful houses and a sheltered bay where legend has it one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying gold bullion.

Built as a fishing port in 1788 on a design by Thomas Telford, the town curves around the harbour and rises into the hillside beyond.

Getting there

Ferries cross to the island at three points: Oban, Lochaline and Kilchoan (Kilchoan ferry is only a 35 minute drive from Sea Breeze). Booking is required during busy summer months on the Oban ferry, however, the other two are not possible to book, and places are normally available when required. The Lochaline crossing is a cheaper option and is used regularly by locals.

2. Singing Sands Beach

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  2. Singing Sands Beach
  

A magical place at any tide or weather

The Singing Sands, or Camas an Lighe is a lovely sandy bay along from Kentra Bay. It is nice, longish walk through woodland (4km/1 hour) from a small parking area at Kentra. It is well worth the walk – this is one of our favourite places, it is such a beautiful beach, but also very quiet and peaceful (nature’s secret).

Camas an Lighe is a great place for a picnic, beach-combing and exploring the rocky coastline. There are some lovely views of the Small Isles. It is also a good place to look out for divers, cormorants and seals, as well as otters along the coastline.

The beach is renowned for its singing sand, a predisposition caused by the shape and size of the sand grains and the silica content. To ‘sing’ the sand also needs to be of the right humidity. The sound is caused by wind blowing over the surface or by the shuffle of feet or boots through the sand.

https://www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/beaches/the-singing-sands

Getting there

To get to the parking area from the cottage, follow the B8007 east towards Salen. Once you have reached the A861 Junction turn left and follow the A861 along the coast until you reach Acharacle. Turn immediate left after the Acharacle Parish Church down the B8044 and then take the next left following the signs for Arevegaig . Right at the very end of this track is a small parking area – park here and follow the footpath along the coast. After approx. 4km, do not miss the small wooden sign on a tree signalling ‘beach’ to the right. After visiting the beach at Singing Sands you could rejoin this footpath and continue over the hills to Ockle.

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Kayak hire

We have available 2 x 2+1 person kayaks that can be hired. These hold 2 adults plus 1 small child/dog. They come with seats, buoyancy aids (2 x S, 2 x M, 2 x L) and paddles. These can be launched directly in front of Sea Breeze. Both kayaks can be hired – £60 for one / £100 for both per stay. Whilst the waters in front of Sea Breeze are sheltered by the mountains, Loch Sunart is still a sea loch and the tides and winds can change quite quickly – therefore these are for the experienced kayakers only (or for those willing to take lessons).

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