Life's a beach

Its a charmed life! all wrapped up for some skiing last weekend. And stripping off this weekend for some amazing beach weather.

Sunset over Rum from Invercaimbe campsite

Easter trading has been a bit hectic here in Glencoe. Maybe its the weather, maybe its a backlash against the state of the economy, but regardless, its been one of the busiest Easters we've seen in a while. Nice then to chuck the tent in the back of the car and escape to the silver sands up by Arisaig and Morar. (see our Beaches page on GlencoeScotland.com) It doesn't matter what the weather is doing out there (unless you're sunbathing perhaps), a trip out to this spectacular corner of Lochaber always feels like a holiday. But it does help if the sun makes an appearance!

'Owiseeee!'

There's a few campsites to choose from. The one at Invercaimbe is right on the beach and is a great place for the kids to hang out. However, its quite a small site and often fully booked but there's Portnadoran right next door, which is also next to the beach, plus a handful of others dotted along the shoreline.

Morar Mermaid

The beaches here are quite simply amazing, as are the sunsets. There's even a real mermaid! Its also a paddler's mecca, and a great place to explore the rocky inlets by canoe/kayak.

Our trip included the obligatory trip into Mallaig for an ice cream, but not before a very cosmopolitan lunch in the sun at the Tea Garden (the web site doesn't do it justice). Interesting to see that the A830, the 'road to the isles', from Fort William to Mallaig has finally been fully upgraded. The last section between Loch Nan Uamh and Arisaig was opened just a few weeks ago. Shame that someone forgot to realise that its a stunning bit of countryside and the odd lay-by so that you can pull over and enjoy it would have been a good idea!

A couple of hours away from the office and you start getting all artistic...

On the way home we decided to take a detour and visit Smirisary. This old crofting community was abandonned after the 2nd World War, and its easy to imagine the hardships, particularly if visiting on a less-than-sunny day. Its interesting to note that several of the old ruins have now been rebuilt and look habitable once more, despite the lack of access. If you find yourself near Glenuig, follow the old road past the beach all the way to the end and enjoy the short walk with stunning views across to Rum & Eigg.

Smirisary, Eigg & Rum

For more information about walking at Smirisary, including an O.S. map of a suggested route, visit the WalkHighlands web site.