Calgary Bay and the Art in Nature trail

Summary

Calgary Bay is Mull's best known and perhaps finest sandy beach. Adjacent to it is Calgary Wood, home to the 'Art in Nature' project; dotted amongst the trees are some beautiful sculptures and other artworks. There is also an excellent tea room.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Woodland path with wooden steps in places which can be slippery, narrow track along shore, muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Art in Nature car park, Calgary Farmhouse & Galleries, Calgary.

Public Transport

Tobermory to Dervaig and Calgary bus, 494, passes the start.

Start Grid Ref

NM378515

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3km / 1.75 miles
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Ascent: 60m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

As you come down the hill towards Calgary Bay from Dervaig look out for the sandstone coloured Calgary Farmhouse on the right. Immediately opposite the entrance is the car park on the left for the Art in Nature woodland walk and tea room. To begin the walk, cross the road and go past the tea room on the right, bear round to the right to reach the gallery. The walk begins through this, but if the gallery is not open turn left to pass the side of the gallery and go down to the mill pond. Here you can buy a map of the route and/or leave a donation for the upkeep of the walk.

Stage 2

The exact artworks on display in the woods change over time; there are many paths and the precise route taken doesn't matter too much. After passing the old mill pond which has an aluminium sculpture, Peace Cascade, hanging over the water, pass the Calgary Mosaic and ignore the steps uphill, instead continuing down alongside the stream. The remains of the old mill are passed on the left. Much of the wood for the sculptures has been harvested by the local community forest near Dervaig, and local people have contributed their skills and creativity.

Stage 3

Keep following the path downhill, passing some lovely mature trees, and stay on the path that runs parallel to the road. After a living willow tunnel, the Iona pebble mosaic and Leaf Seat are on the right. Ignore any paths to the right and soon a kissing gate is reached. Go through this - leaving the Art in Nature woodland for now - and past the boat to reach the road.

Stage 4

Turn right for a very short distance along the road before turning right again along the track to the car park at Calgary Bay, where local ice creams are sold from a kiosk made from un upturned boat. Follow the track from the right hand side of the car park. Soon pass through a kissing gate next to a farm gate and keep following the well built track on the north side of the bay. The views back over the pure white sand are sublime.

Stage 5

Continue along the track, passing a distinctive rocky outcrop on the right which is the site of an iron age fort. Soon an old harbour with a stone built pier is reached. Although it is possible to continue past the fence, the way is much rougher and for this route turns round here and heads back to the car park.

Stage 6

If time allows, explore the wide sands which seem to sparkle even on dull days. Return along the road to the entrance to the sculpture walk and this time take a fork on the left for a path which returns higher through the wood. There's a great view looking back over the bay.

Stage 7

From here there are a number of ways to return to the start. The quickest being to follow the path that runs the trees towards the top edge of the wood before eventually descending the wooden steps back to the mill pond. However it is worth meandering along all the paths to see the varied sculptures and the interesting shapes made by the wind blown and taller trees themselves. Once back at the start, you can visit the tearoom (summer only) which also has exhibits as well as the separate gallery.

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