A mostly easy walk to the cleared village of Inniemore - Aoneadh Mor, returning up a short but steep incline which affords views across Loch Arienas.
Summary
Well defined paths throughout route. Outward path is gently undulating but return route has short but steep incline. Can be a little muddy.
Terrain
Inniemore Cleared Village car park. Turn off A884 approx 3 miles north of Lochaline
(signposted for Kinlochteagus). Travel along the southern shore of Loch Arienas until you see the signs for the
car park and historic village on your left.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. From the forestry car park, take the path on the right hand side, signposted to 'Aoneadh Mor Historic Township'. Continue along the undulating path until you reach a signpost for 2 paths ' take the right hand option, following the red arrow. At the next signpost take Mary's path to the right. Mary Cameron was one of the villagers suddenly cleared from Inniemore in 1824, and her account of the departure left a poignant record. Continue along this path; you will soon see the beginning of the village boundary wall down on your right and then come out of the trees.
2. Ignore a signpost to Barr and follow the path which begins to curve gently upwards and to the left. You will now start to see the ruins of the village to your right. Carry on until you see a signpost - take the path for Aoneadh Mor to the right. Go through the gate and follow the path to an interpretation board which offers some insight into village life.
3. Follow the path up and to the left towards a gate, then bear right and walk parallel to the fence. You will now have a good view of the whole village. Bear right, away from the fence, down towards the ruins, which you can explore from here on in, until you have the option of crossing the bridge or going right to another interpretation board which tells of what happened after the clearance.
4. Cross the bridge (it can be muddy and boggy on the far side) and explore further ruins, before following the stream to a picnic table. Backtrack to the bridge, cross the stream and bear left. The path will eventually curve upwards to the right, then take the left hand path back to the gate.
5. Walk straight ahead, following James's path. The path honours James Cameron (Mary's husband) who carried his mother from the village on his back in a creel (basket) while Mary left with their children on the lower path. The path steeply rises through forestry, before levelling out and reaching a scenic viewpoint, complete with bench, to admire the views over Loch Arienas.
6. After more level walking, you will start to descend, with stepping stones towards the end of the descent. After rejoining Mary's path, return towards the car park, but take a detour at the final junction, following the path which leads straight ahead to the car park. Follow the path till you find the picnic table and bench on your left, then continue along the path till you return to the car park.
Route and photos: Teresa de Billot, Outdoor Capital.
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