skye and the
north west
The coastal waters around Skye, north of Ardnamurchan in Sanna Bay Eigg is the second largest island of the
the Outer Hebrides and the north which makes an excellent lunchtime stop; group, and is owned by a Community
west of Scotland provide a range of however, its exposed location does not Trust which purchased the island in 1997,
cruising grounds with some of the most make it suitable for an overnight stop. the most recent of inhabitants in the
spectacular landscapes in the world. As 8,000 plus years that the island has been
with Argyll and the Islands, there THE SMALL ISLES inhabited. The community trust organise
are plenty of options available, and an The Small Isles form a compact cruising many musical events during the year to
almost infinite combination of routes ground of their own. Rum is the largest which visitors are invited (details at www.
and destinations are possible. Whilst the island of the group and is owned by isleofeigg.net). As with Rum the island is
nature of the sailing has itself not changed, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) who run rich in wildlife and geology, whilst for a
the recent addition of pontoon facilities at the island as a National Nature Reserve. spot of ‘sun and surf’ Laig Beach and the
a number of locations has made life more The island is formed from an old volcanic Singing Sands are recommended.
straightforward for some visitors. plug, and has its own Cuillin (rocky ridge)
which is often confused with that on Canna is the most westerly of the Small
Rounding Ardnamurchan Point the Skye when viewed from a distance. SNH Isles and is owned by the National Trust
visiting sailor is rewarded with a rapidly offer guided day walks around the island for Scotland who have farmed it since
changing vista as first the Small Isles of in the summer looking at the nature and 1981. Like the rest of the island group
Muck, Eigg, Canna and Rum come into wildlife of the island. Visitors are also able Canna has many sites of archaeological
view, and then the even more dramatic to follow two small nature trails laid out interest and has links to the Neolithic,
skyline of the Cuillins on Skye begin to around the village of Kinloch where there Columban and Viking eras. It has been a
dominate the horizon. Whilst en route is also a village shop that is usually open bird sanctuary since 1938, and over 150
to these areas from the south a diversion in the evening. A guided tour of Kinloch species of birds have been monitored in
into Loch Moidart is well worthwhile, Castle is a must - not least to hear of the the last 40 years.
with another alternative being to take a many stories and legends that are attached
mooring at Arisaig a short distance to to the island, but also to view the castle
the north. If conditions are settled it is as it was left in the 1950’s by the former Rum and Eigg from Lochailort, Highland 41
also possible to anchor a short distance owners www.isleofrum.com. © Dennis Hardley.
www.sailscotland.co.uk
Skye & North West.indd 5 11/12/09 12:52:01
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