Main Attractions
Main Attractions
Moidart and Ardnamurchan are part of Lochaber and known as The Outdoor Capital of the UK. Not only can you take part in a huge variety of outdoor activities, on land, in the air and on the water, but you can do it in some of the most dramatic Scottish locations imaginable.
The area is famous for walking and sea kayaking - with thousands of square miles of hills, glens and lochs, forests and rivers and spectacular coastline to explore, there is an adventure waiting for everyone of all levels of fitness, ability and aspiration. From marked forestry trails to guided adventures into the mountains, onto the lochs (including the longest sea loch in the Highlands) or out to sea, Otter Adventures specialises in exclusive-group adventures tailored to you no matter whether that is by open canoe, sea kayak, mountain bike or on foot (or a combination of these).
But we also have some great local attractions there is something here for everyone. Starting at the Most Westerly Point of the British Mainland you have the Ardnamurchan Light House and visitors centre. Sanna Bay, with its machair, dunes and silver sand, is a must when exploring the end of the Ardnamurchan peninsular. Driving east away from Kilchoan back toward Salen takes you through the small hamlet of Glenbeg now home to the Ardnamurchan Distillery and the Ardnamurchan Wildlife Centre.
Or from Kilchoan take the ferry to Tobermory and explore Mull, go as a foot passenger direct into Tobermory or take the car to explore further afield – Iona is a great day out. Come home via Fishnish and Lochaline Ferry.
Continuing East to Salen the cross roads to Sunart and Moidart, on leaving Ardnamurchan turning right to Sunart takes you through the ancient coastal oakwoods. Look out for green forest signs along the road, these show the start of walks most have car parks where you can stop off and have a wander through the woods.
On route to Strontian you drive through Resipole, where there is Resipole Studios a unique art gallery with a fabulous selection of contemporary artists and mediums. Onwards to Strontian the only place in the UK to have a chemical element in the periodic table called after it - Strontium, with symbol Sr and atomic number 38. The road continues away from Strontian to Ardgour and the Corran Ferry.
Heading left from Salen takes you through the village of Acharacle and into Moidart. A detour down the side of the River Shiel to Castle Tioram the once stronghold of the Clan Ranald. Continuing through Moidart to Glenuig where you can visit Glenuig Hall and the Moidart History House.
At the Lochailort junction you have the Road to the Isles, and Mallaig to the west of you and east back toward Fort William via Glenfinnan. Heading to Mallaig takes you through Arisaig home to The Land, Sea and Island Vistors Centre, and Arisaig Games in the July. If you take the costal scenic road to Morar you pass by the beautiful beach of Traigh, and Traigh golf course “… the most beautiful golf course in the world…”. Next beach is Camusdarach where Local Hero was filmed. You can get ferries out to the Small Isles of Eigg, Much and Rhum form both Arisaig and Mallaig. Or a day trip to Skye from Mallaig.
Taking the road east back toward Fort William you pass by the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which you can cross on the Jacobite Steam Train also known as the Hogwarts Express as the train and scenery was used in the filming of Harry Potter. Another attraction in Glenfinnan is the Glenfinnan Monument and visitor centre telling the full story of the ’45.
Fort William is a great day out with many attractions from Ben Nevis, Nevis Range and West Highland Museum, more information can be found at The Outdoor Capital Website.