Morvern Peninsula

Just east of Strontian the A884 leads south through the bleak, desolate landscape of Morvern to the tiny remote community of Lochaline on the Sound of Mull, departure point for the CalMac ferry to Fishnish.

About three miles before Lochaline is the turning left for the track which leads down the side of Loch Aline to the 14th-century ruins of Ardtornish Castle (more details on Clan Donald website)  . First you'll come to Kinlochaline Castle (and also this website about the rebuild) which has recently been restored by new owners by Hugh and Jane Raven and is not open to the public and then Ardtornish House. This house stands on the site of the original house, which was visited on several occasions by Florence Nightingale, who was a family member of the original owners. The author John Buchan spent many summers here in the 1930s. There's a path which leads from the estate office uphill across open moorland for an hour till it reaches Loch Tearnait. In the centre of the loch is a 1,500 year-old crannog, an artificial island built for defensive purposes. This walk is detailed in the tourist board's Great Walks leaflet, along with the Ariundle Nature Trail, available from local tourist offices. During the stalking season (1 July-20 October) check at the estate office before setting out.

Ardtornish House sits in the Ardtornish Estate which offers a wide range of self catering accommodation beside the coast - more details here

Morvern Phone code: +44 (0)1967