sailscotland 2020

Skye and the North West

 Peaceful Bay, Island of Muck © Lynn Wilkie

HERE ON THE EDGE OF THE ATLANTIC, it is little wonder this wild and awe-inspiring destination is a haven for wildlife and adventurers. From the ancient standing stones of Callanish on Lewis to the majesty of the Cuillins on Skye, prepare to be captivated.

THE SMALL ISLES The Small Isles form a compact

There’s poetry in the place names and magic in the landscapes: all the way from the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg, Canna and Rum to the awe-inspiring skyline of the Cuillins on Skye and on to the Outer Hebrides with their pristine beaches of white sand and turquoise water. These are some of the treasures that lie in wait beyond Ardnamurchan Point, the westernmost extremity of the British mainland. If sailing from the south it is well worth stopping off at the fine anchorage of Loch Moidart or picking up a mooring at Arisaig.

Eigg is the second largest island of the group and was purchased by a community trust in 1997. As with Rum, the island is rich in wildlife and geology, while for a spot of sun and surf, Laig Beach and the Singing Sands are recommended. Canna is the most westerly of the Small Isles and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The island has links to the Neolithic, Columban and Viking eras along with significant sites of archaeological interest. It has been a bird sanctuary since 1938 and more than 150 species of birds have been monitored in the past 40 years. There

cruising ground of their own. Rum is the largest island of the group and is run as a national nature reserve by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). It is formed from an old volcanic plug and has its own Cuillin (rocky ridge) which is often confused with that on Skye when viewed from a distance. There are moorings for visiting yachts and a village shop. A guided tour of Kinloch Castle is always popular as the castle is almost exactly as it was left in the 1950s by its wealthy but eccentric former owners, the Bullough family.

sail scotland 2020

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