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Walking in South
West
Mull
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Walks in South West Mull
Following are some fairly easy and popular
walks in South West Mull. Click on images to enlarge.
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Ardtun and the Fossil Beds |
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From Bunessan take the minor road which is signposted to Ardtun. When the
road forks take the left turn and park along the road near the gate. Go
through the gate and into the field and head towards the prominent outcrop
of Dunan Mor. It's a short climb to the top but it can be slippery on the
rocks in wet weather. Please see our clothing and footwear recommendations.
From the summit make your way down to the shore and then follow the narrow
track below the basalt cliffs. When the track becomes blocked by a deep
inlet you have to go up onto the tops of the cliffs. Now follow across the
headland on the cliff top track until you reach a shallow open gully between
the cliffs well above sea level and with easy access. In the gully sides you
will find the imprints of the sea fossils of leaves of oak ,hazel and plane
trees. There are sadly no fossils left now, all removed by fossil hunters.
Return the same way.
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Erraid |
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The
access to Erraid is tidal and it is possible to get "cut off". Please check
tide times before setting off.
If you have ever read and enjoyed the Stevenson classic 'Kidnapped' you must
go to this tidal island where David Balfour was stranded. On the other hand
you could just go to enjoy the Barbados like pure white shell sand beach.
From Fionnphort take the minor road past the Columba Visitor Centre until
you come to Knockvologan Farm where some parking places have been provided
on the left. Follow the road past the farm and go down the track onto the
beach. Go north along the shore
and from this
area at low water you can visit Erraid, with its small community,
observatory, and David Balfour Bay (the bay where "Kidnapped" was filmed).
Follow the track that goes up to the houses at the north end of the island
and from here a track goes up to the Obervatory on Cnoc Mor. Please note
that Erraid is a private island but the community that live there are happy
to have visitors so please respect their privacy.
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Traigh Gheal |
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From Fionnphort take the minor road past the Columba
 Visitor
Centre until you come to Knockvologan Farm where some parking places have
been provided on the left. Go up to the farm and take the track through the
gate between the two farm buildings. There is a sign here for the Tireragan
Nature Reserve and a really useful map can be purchased - donations in the
box. This walk is wonderful for discovering the different lichens, mosses
and orchids which thrive on the damp ground. Follow the stone track which
soon becomes a grassy track and go through the gates.
 Watch
out for direction arrows which are carved onto the boulders. After the third
gate take the left hand path, make for the summit of Torr Fada and enjoy the
view from the stone compass on the summit. Here, on a fine day, you can see
the Treshnish Isles, Staffa, Rum and Skye. The well worn track descends to
another boulder with directional
 arrows.
Keep going straight on until you cross the bridge and follow the burn to the
next directional arrow on a boulder. Take the right turn and you will see
the ruins of Breac-achadh on the hill on the left. After visiting the old
settlement continue on the track and descend to Traigh Gheal which has to be
one of the most beautiful and remote beaches on the Isle of Mull.
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Kilvickeon Old Parish Church |
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This is a delightful short walk which takes in
another fabulous beach and the haunting ruin of Kilvickeon Old Parish Church
and Cemetery. Turn off the Craignure to Fi onnphort
road just before Bunessan, signposted to Scoor. Keep going along a gravel
road at the end of which is parking space. The church can easily be seen to
the right. There are then two gates to go through. This is the only medieval
parish church on the Ross of Mull, of which there are many worthwhile
remains. The entrance to the church, an archway, was on the north side and
is still intact. The door could
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secured by a draw-bar and the sockets for this can be seen in the right hand
wall as you enter. On the left, about a metre above eye-level is a very worn
piece of carved sandstone believed to be a 'sheela-na-gig' - either a
suggestive figure placed on an outer wall said to terrify and ward off evil
powers or a medieval fertility symbol. Fo r
more information on the church see the
Mull Historical and Archaeological
Society website which has some excellent information on the site. Go back up
to the track and ascend down to Kilvickeon beach where there are lots of
sandy coves to explore and the chance to see seals and numerous sea birds. A
great place too for a picnic. Return the same way.
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