A Redeye View: Three Short Walks On The Isle Of Mull 10-5-2018

We thought that we would have a drive round and have a look at at a few places of interest taking advantage of another dry day. Windy and cool but dry. It also got warmer as the day went on, a feature of the week really, as it always seemed to start off damp in the morning but then brightening up with a bit of warmth in the afternoon. Today's little tour saw us having three very worthwhile walks taking in different scenery this Isle has on offer from Castles, Standing Stones, Lighthouse, Ruined Village, Lochs and a Distinct Volcano.
The first place we visited was DUN ARA CASTLE in the grounds of GLENMORE CASTLE, which is now a wedding and guest house. A straight forward walk through the grounds of Glenmore down to the coast where the old Dun Ara Castle stood on a prominent position overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Although there are few remains, you can pick out the base walls on the hillock and a few old walls on the surrounding ground by the ocean and on the coastline. There seems to be quite a bit to explore around here but as it was quite windy and cold we didn't spend too much time here, opting to head back away from the coastline to the standing stones and a leisurely walk back to the car. There are a few Highland Cattle in the grounds and these seemed as friendly and laid back as others we came across, as long as you don't get too close they didn't seem to bother anyone. Again we spotted Eagles but no seals or otters on the coastline. The walk was a gentle 2.5 miles or so.

Looking across to Ardamurchan on mainland Scotland

Glenmore Castle

Highland Cattle

Heading down to the coast

A short sharp shower blowing across the sea

Dun Ara straight ahead

Remaining walls of Dun Ara Castle

Keeper of the Castle

Views over to Ardamurchan

Glenmore Standing Stones

Keeper of the Castle

Short video of the views round Dun Ara

From here we made our way back along the single track lanes to the Forestry Commision Car Park from where a few walks start and end from. It is possible to tie in this walk with the Glenmore Castle walk as a loop which can take a good few hours taking in the various options on offer. We decided to go on a small loop taking in the abandoned village of Ardmore, down to the coast and Ardmore Point Lighthouse and back through the forest. As with other days, it started to warm up a bit as the sun got to work burning away the clouds and the cold wind of Dun Ara was replaced by a more gentle breeze which was more welcome. There is a nature hide on the shore but again, no otters or seals spotted but again the eagles were about. Out of the three walks this was the longest coming in about 5 miles or so.

ARDNAMURCHAN on the Scottish mainland dominate the views on this walk and it holds good memories for us as we stayed there last year in a cottage in KILCHOAN and we spent most evenings looking over to the lighthouse wandering what it must be like on this side of the Loch, so now we know :-) Another great place that is more remote than Mull and a great place to get away from it all, highly recommended.

Setting off from the car park

On the approach to the abandoned village

Abandoned village of Ardmore

Ardmore Point Lighthouse

Looking across To Ardamurchan with Ben Haint on the right and Kilchoan in the middle

A zoomed in shot of the cottage we had last year on Ardnamurchan, on the right, in the trees

Nature Hide

View from the hide

On the way through the forest clearing

Looking back with Ardmore Point over the hill to the right

Back through the village

The well signed forestry tracks

Back at the car park

A short Video from Admore Point

The final walk of the day was to visit a Loch which goes by the name of Crater Loch which is on top of the hill, 'S Airde Beinn @ 295m in height, it is the highest point on the North side of the Mishnish Lochs. A very worthwhile walk to do with a mountain feel to it, rough ground with a good track to follow. A short steep climb that brings you out on the rim of the crater that I followed round to the left. Excellent views in all directions. Parking is in an old quarry just off the main road between Tobermory & Dervaig opposite the MISHNISH LOCHS of Lochs Peallach, Meadhoin and Carnain an Amais and a short walk from the derelict building where the walk starts from. Another easy walk of around 2.5 miles there and back following the track up and round the crater then back down retracing my steps. The weather was still warm and sunny but a bit cool on the top with the wind whipping around the Loch.