Castle Tioram Walk

OS Map: 1:25,000 Explorer Map 390 Ardnamurchan

Start Grid Reference: NM 664 721

Walk distance:  4 miles

Date walked: 29th May 2012

Time: 2 hours approximately

Route:  Taken from Walks - Mallaig and Ardnamurchan (publ. Hallewell - www.pocketwalks.com) available from Amazon.  

View Castle Tioram in a larger map


This is another of the walks we completed during our stay at Mingarry Lodges in Scotland at the end of May.This is a great short walk.  It starts at a car park near to Tioram Castle, follows the coast overlooking Loch Moidart, then rises to small lochans on the moors before descending back to the car park.


The Castle dominates the beginning and end of the walk.  We completed the walk then wen to visit the castle.

Castle Tioram

It can be accessed at the beginning or end of the walk by a strand, but care should be taken as the castle can become cut off at higher tides.  They will determine when you visit or whether you visit at all.

Access to the Castle

The first part of the walk follows the coast on a clear path.  At times it can be overgrown, but as we experienced it is kept clear.  This part of the walk affords wonderful views over Loch Moidart.

Tioram Castle in Loch Moidart

View over Loch Moidart

The path leaves the coast at a small cairn.  Over the ridge there are beautiful views over small lochans.  Here we sat and watched a pair of cuckoo fly and call to each other.

View from the ridge

Lochan na Fola

The paths now descends by the side of a reservoir back to the coast.

View over South Channel at the end of the walk

This was a walk we fitted in the afternoon.  It is one of those walks: small enough to fit into a day when you are busy doing other things, but more than rewarding in that it gives you great views, some history and the peacefulness of the Scottish moors.

Peanmeanach Walk

OS Map: 1:50,000 Landranger 40 Loch Shiel

Start Grid Reference: NM 742 836

Walk distance:  6.5 miles

Date walked: 27th May 2012

Time: 4.5 hours approximately with a long lunch

Route:  Taken from Walks - Mallaig and Ardnamurchan (publ. Hallewell - www.pocketwalks.com) available from Amazon.  

View Peanmeanach Walk in a larger map

At the end of May and the beginning of June, we spent a great week just outside Acharacle in a self catering lodge (www.mingarylodges.co.uk).  It was a great place for wildlife - Pine Martens in the garden - but also a great location for walking.  All the walks we did were taken from the same publication, this and the next few posts will describe some of them.


This walk was undertaken on a very hot day in May.  It is not very long but with the weather conditions, it  was more arduous than we thought it would be.  The walk gives magnificent views over the Sound of Arisaig, Loch Nan Uamh and the islands beyond.  Inland, there are views of and the walk goes by Loch Doir a' Ghearrian.  The destination of the walk is Peanmeanach a deserted settlement by the sea.

Railway Bridge

The path is crossed by one of the most beautiful train lines in the country - some say the world.Crossing it does not present any difficulty at all, if you are walking that is.


After a period of walking through woods, the walk opens out to reveal a wonderful vista.

View over Loch Nan Uamh

View over Loch Doir Ghearrain

Before reaching the abandoned settlement, the path goes by the edge and through another wood.  The approach to Peanmeanach is through a flat area of marsh grass.

Approach to Peanmeanach

At the coast, there are ruins of the old Peanmeanach settlement and a bothey, which can be used as accommodation.  It is also a great place for camping.

Peanmeanach Ruins.

Peanmeanach Coastline

Great place for camping

Although it was very hot, this was a very enjoyable walk.  I am not a fan of there and back walks, but to complete this one, I'm afraid you will have to retrace your steps back to the car.  However the hardship is not great when you have repeat the experience of these wonderful views.