The Area
Places to go from Ach na skia Croft, Arisaig, that are further than 2 miles away . . . .
|
MALLAIG
7mls. 10 mins. Population appx. 1,000 |
A busy fishing port with shops, restaurants, cafés, Mallaig Heritage Centre, Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre, Marina, fish shops, craft shops, book shop, banks, Post Office, Tourist Information Centre, ferry to Skye and Small Isles, boat trips to Knoydart, up Loch Nevis and other destinations, railway station - the termination of the West Highland Line, sea fishing trips on the MV Grimsay Isle with Ewan Nicholson.
|
|
KNOYDART
7mls. by road plus 7mls. by boat |
Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn — often translated as Loch Heaven and Loch Hell respectively. A good day out is to take a boat (or paddle) to Knoydart from Mallaig. If you fancy bagging a Munro see Drew's 3D OVERVIEW of the Knoydart munros and routes. There is even a taxi service to get you closer to the hill! Get to Inverie and back with time for lunch and a walk daily in summer with Bruce Watt sea cruises (Knoydart Ferry). Other transport options can be found on the Knoydart Foundationwebsite |
|
GLENFINNAN
|
The Glenfinnan monument, erected in 1815 by Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale, is a tribute to the clansmen who fought and died in the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and was the scene of the "Raising of the Standard" by the Jacobites. The National Trust Visitor centre is close by for further information. The 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous as one of the scenes in the Harry Potter films, was the first major construction to use mass concrete (and it has a secret!). Other films to use the area recently have been "Charlotte Gray", "Highlander" and TV's"Monarch of the Glen" and "Rockface". The West Highland Railway museum is housed in the station buildings. The "Jacobite" steam train stops at Glenfinnan Station for 20 minutes on its journey to Mallaig. There are cruises on Loch Shiel with "Loch Shiel Cruises". Glenfinnan Candles - "Quality Handmade Candles in the Heart of the Scottish Highlands for 30 Years." Tel: 01397 722330. For more information about events at Glenfinnan visit the Glenfinnan website. |
|
FORT WILLIAM
|
Fort William, the "Outdoor Capital of the UK", home to Ben Nevis and Nevis Range, Morrison's for food shopping en route, railway station, Glen Nevis, where scenes from Braveheart were shot - beautiful for a drive or walk. Nevis Range ski resort at Aonach Mhor - the gondola is open all year. Also home to the annual UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP, Nevis Range and Lochaber are a mecca for mountain bikers! Exciting cross country trails, exhilarating downhills and gentle forest routes there is something for all standards of rider. Download a Visit Scotland leaflet of biking trails in Lochaber and visit "Ride Fort William" for more great mountain biking suggestions. The annual Fort William Mountain Festival is an exciting week long programme of events. Visit the West Highland Museum, which houses many Jacobite treasures, Treasures of the Earth in Corpach, Loch Linnhe Cruises, Ben Nevis Distillery, the Nevis Centre for 10-pin bowling, snooker, pool, large indoor play area, bar. the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, Neptune's Staircase and the Caledonian Canal. |
|
ISLE OF SKYE
7mls. plus half hour ferry from Mallaig. |
A day out on the Isle of Skye is a favourite with many guests. Taking the the first ferry and coming back on the last fery of the day allows time to explore at least one of the many and varied regions of the island. The Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum and The Clan Donald Centre can be reached on foot from the ferry terminal at Armadale and the Sleat peninsular has a character all its own. The Skye Museum of Island life at Uig, at the far north west of the island, is a group of thatched cottages showing how people on Skye lived 100 years or so ago. Dunvegan Castle, dating from around 1200 is the ancestral home of the chieftans of the Clan MacLeod. The Cuillin ridge in the south west and the Quirang in the north east, with its dramatic rocky prominences, provide some spectacular scenery for walking. |
|
The Small Isles - a boat ride and a world away, each island has it's own distinct and different character. |
|
|
EIGG
|
10mls. off shore from Arisaig lies the Isle of Eigg, dominated by the dramatic Sgurr, has a fascinating history, superb wildlife and birdlife and a temperate maritime climate. Accessible via MV Sheerwater out of Arisaig in summer (1hr. journey each way with 4 -5 hours on the island and the chance to follow whale or dolphin en route), or Caledonian MacBrayne out of Mallaig (1.25hrs. with 4-5 hrs. on island). Check websites for further information. |
|
RUM
|
14mls. off shore from Arisaig, the Isle of Rum has early Mesolithic and Viking history in addition to the intriguing story behind the spectacular and unexpected Kinloch Castle built by industrialist and social aspirant George Bullough. Accessible via MV Sheerwater out of Arisaig in summer (1.75hr. journey each way with 2-3 hours on the island and the chance to follow whale or dolphin en route), or Caledonian MacBrayne out of Mallaig (1.5hrs. or more with 4 hrs. on island). Check websites for further information. |
|
MUCK
|
Close to Eigg lies the Isle of Muck, a lower, fertile island which currently has a population of about 30. The majority of the island is run as a single farm of beef suckler cattle, sheep and a small herd of Highland ponies. Not to be missed is the annual Muck Open Day in June where the island the owner, Lawrence MacKewen, will treat you to a tour of the island. Refreshments available at the island cafe. Accessible via MV Sheerwater out of Arisaig in summer (2hr. journey each way with 3 hours on the island and the chance to follow whale or dolphin en route), or Caledonian MacBrayne out of Mallaig (2.5hrs. - no day return with time on island). |
|
CANNA
|
The Isle of Canna is positioned to the south of Skye and the West of Mallaig, tucked in behind Rum. The island has been inhabited since the dawn of history. Vikings sojourned here, St. Columba visited it and the island went through many changes of ownership until in 1938 John Lorne Campbell purchased it. Accessible via Caledonian MacBrayne out of Mallaig (no day return with time on island). |
| FURTHER AFIELD - 2 HOUR DRIVE OR MORE | |
|
LOCH NESS
55mls. 1.5hrs. |
Drive along the side of Loch Ness, spot Nessie and visit Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit and the Nessie Centres, Fort Augustus and the abbey. Take a Jacobite cruise on the loch. |
|
INVERNESS
99mls. 2.5hrs. |
Inverness (from the Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis meaning "Mouth of the River Ness") is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Inverness lies near two important battle sites: the 11th century battle of Blàr nam Fèinne against Norway which took place on The Aird and the 18th century Battle of Culloden which took place on Culloden Moor. The northernmost city in the UK, it lies at the north-eastern extremity of the Great Glen (Gleann Mòr) where the River Ness enters the Moray Firth. It is a pleasant town with lots of shops, museum and castle. Find out more about Inverness here. |
|
OBAN
79mls. appx. 2hrs. |
Oban or An t-Òban in Gaelic means "The Little Bay" and is one of Scotland’s most popular holiday towns. Oban is located in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland right on the coast of the beautifulFirth of Lorn with stunning views out to the islands of Kerrera, Lismore and is a short ferry trip from the Isle of Mull.Caithness Glass Centre, Rare Breeds Park, McCaig’s Tower, shops, busy harbour etc. Find out more about Oban here. The Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary is at Barcaldine, on the way to Oban, and makes a good day out with the kids. |
.jpg)
21mls. 30mins.
21mls. 30mins.
