Ardtornish Old Castle, near Lochaline

Summary

This straightforward out-and-back walk heads out along the stunning wildlife-rich shores of Ardtornish Estate, with beautiful views over Loch Aline and then across the Sound of Mulll. The objective is the beautifully situated ruin of Old Ardtornish Castle, guarding passage through the Sound.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, track and clear path. Livestock, keep dogs under tight control.

Public Transport

There is a bus to Ardtornish only a few days each week.

Start

Ardtornish Estate office, Achranich. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.5km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 145m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM704473

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Take the minor road to Ardtornish from the A884 north of Lochaline, follow signs for the garden. There is parking in the square next to the estate office, where there is also a shop with information/map and hot drinks. Start by heading back along the approach road. Ignore the turning to the kitchen garden on the left, but take the next left along the track signed for the Boat House. Follow the minor road along the shores of Loch Aline. Pass an old boat house, keep an eye out for otters. The ochre coloured walls of Kinlochaline Castle can be seen at the head of the loch over to the right.

Stage 2

Continue along the private road, fringed with beautiful native deciduous woodland. Yellow flag iris is common nearer the water. The road leads past Boat House cottage; continue ahead, with views to Lochaline at the mouth of the loch. Just before a bridge note the old lime kiln on the left, it can be visited through a gate.

Stage 3

Continuing along the road, there's soon another gate on the left signed for Tennyson's Waterfall. It is possible to make a detour here, following a rough path steeply up through the bracken, bearing left higher up the slope to view the waterfall in a gorge on the Allt na Samhnachain. It adds 2km to the route and can be very overgrown in summer. The poet was a regular visitor to Ardtornish in the 19th century and is said to have visited the waterfall rather than taking a trip to Skye and was inspired to write, "If he did not see Loch Crouisk. He ought to be forgiven; For though he missed a day in Skye, He spent a day in Heaven!". Continue along the shore road, eventually passing the net station and slipway. Round a small bay and there are good views across the narrows to Lochaline and the ferry to Mull. Pass a cottage with a jetty opposite.

Stage 4

Continue through the gate on the track ahead. The track continues through grazing land with views across to the Isle of Mull on the right. Eventually a stand of trees on the right is reached and a stone steading building on the left. Go past the building, ignore the first (smaller) gate on the right and take the next track on the right and go through a farm gate.

Stage 5

Continue to the left of a modern house and go through two wooden gates with Ardtornish Castle clearly visible ahead. The path continues through lovely woodland before emerging on the headland near the castle.

Stage 6

From here you can climb up into the ruin. A stronghold of the MacDonalds in the 13th and 14th centuries it was here that John MacDonald, Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross, signed the treaty of Westminster-Ardtornish in 1461 agreeing to divide Scotland between him and Edward IV of England. The plan came to nothing, and by 1493 James IV had destroyed the Lordship of the Isles. The castle was later owned by the Macleans of Duart on Mull but was abandoned in the 17th century. Below the castle is a small modern lighthouse.

Stage 7

Looking across Ardtornish Bay, you can see the stunning Atlantic Oakwoods clinging between the shore and a rocky escarpment. The walk can be extended to visit these, following an old path below the slopes of Aoineadh Beag until it ends at the Inninmore, the site of a cleared village. Two of the cottages have been restored. This detour adds around an hour each way. Whether or not you choose to make the detour, retrace the outward route to head back to the start.

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