Achadun Castle (also known as Achanduin Castle), once the residence of the Bishops of Argyll, occupiers a fine location guarding the entrances to Loch Linnhe and the Sound of Mull. It marks the objective for this walk heading for the western end of Lismore.
Mostly minor roads, then track and final path.
Achnacroish is served by car ferries from Oban.
Achnacroish (Pier for ferry from Oban).
Heading up from the pier in Achnacroish. Commercial steamers began calling here in 1882 after the Victorian pier was built. Follow the road uphill as it winds past the school and then uphill across the island. There are stunning views looking back across the water to the mountains on the mainland, with Beinn Sgulaird prominent.
When another road is met at a t-junction, turn left. After another 300 metres or so, turn right at the next junction, signed for Achinduin. The road zig-zags left and right before settling down to make better progress heading southwest, with good views over to the Morvern peninsula and Mull. Pass the farm at Frackersaig, with a small pond on the right hand side.
Continue for another kilometre and a half to reach a fork at the whitewashed cottage at Mid Achinduin. Go left here to walk past the side of the cottage and up towards some more modern houses. Pass just below these and then fork right onto a track that slopes downhill, heading just to the left of South Achinduin. The track then finally bears left and heads through a gate.
A short distance further a black arrow on a white sign indicates where to turn right off the track onto a rather wet grassy trod. This descends to cross a lower area with the castle now visible on the limestone ridge ahead. Achadun Castle dates back to the 13th century and was build by Clan MacDougall. For many years it was the residence of the Bishop's of Argyll, whose cathedral was a Clachan in the centre of Lismore.
It is the fine setting rather than the ruins themselves that makes the walk worthwhile, with superb views of Mull; the importance for Lismore in an age when ships were the main mode of transport is clear. Return to Achnacroish the same way. If you wish to extend the walk, you could turn left after Frackersaig Farm to follow the coastal track past the coastal lime quarries of Sailean for a very scenic diversion, perhaps returning via the heritage centre and Balnagowan to make a much longer walk.
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