Day Out to Ardnamurchan!

With the weather being so good we decided the painting and bookwork could wait!!!!

We would take advantage of the glorious weather and take a trip over to Ardtoe Beach on Ardnamurchan.
Arnamurchan Penisular, for those who have never visited, is situated on the remote West Coast of Scotland due west of Fort William. Ardnamurchan is a long, narrow peninsula along the shores of Loch Sunart and marks the most westerly tip of the British Mainland. It has some of the best beaches in the country, with clear blue water and white sand.
So we packed a picnic and a little disposable BBQ and headed off. We decided to go the long way round through Fort William to get some shopping in town. We headed to Fort William and then on to Glenfinnan on the A830, the road to the isles,(you can stop here for a coffee and a comfort break, if necessary!!) www.nts.org.uk
Follow the road until you come to a sign for the A861 and this takes you onto Ardnamurchan and towards Acharacle round Loch Moidart and Loch Ailert. You will go throught some of the best scenery in Scotland. There really isn't much in the way of cafes etc before you get to Acharacle so you are best to pack some food to take with you.

Near Kinlochmoidart you will see "The Seven Men of Moidart" These are 5 beech trees (originally 7) planted about 200 years ago to commemorate the seven men who accompanied Bonnie Prince Charlie on his way to raise his standard at Glenfinnan in 1745.www.moidart.org.uk
Carryin on we headed for Acharacle where there is a shop, tea room, hotel and public toilets. The turning for Ardtoe is just before the village centre signposted to Kentra (B8044), carry on this single track road for about 3 1/2 miles and you will come to the end of the road. There is a tiny little car park which costs 50p and you can park there.
We stayed there for several hours enjoying the sunshine and even had a swim in the sea, very cold as it was!!!!

Heading home we decided to go back the other way, which takes you through Acharacle towards Strontian about 12 miles. A lovely place to stop, just before Strontian, is Sunart Woodland,you can take in the breathtaking views of the loch and watch for seals and otters. www.forestry.gov.uk

We stopped again a bit further on at the Strontian hotel www.strontianhotel.co.uk for a refreshing drink and decided although the menu looked nice we were still full from our BBQ!!! Heading to Ardgour we picked up the Corran Ferry which takes you over Loch Linnhe (costs £6.40 for a car and only takes 5 minutes). You are then back on the A82 and you can go left to Fort William or right for us, home! www.lochabertransport.org.uk/corranferry

We had a fantastic day and arrived back about 8pm, having seen some great views, stunning weather and lots of wildlife!!