Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Port Appin

As well as a lovely base to bask in peaceful surroundings, Airdeny Chalets has a number of wonderful day drips on its doorstep.   

To soak up the scenery of Loch Linnhe, you could head to Port Appin, a 35 minute drive north of Taynuilt.  Following the A828 north, take a left at Appin (as the road winds along the lochside, you get a great view of Castle Stalker).

You can park in the village hall car park as you drive into Port Appin (on your left just after the Airds Hotel and opposite an old lighthouse lantern, which has information boards on the history of the village) or continue down to the ferry car park.  Port Appin is a pretty little village, with stunning views of Loch Linnhe and the Isle of Lismore (the ferry to Lismore leaves from the jetty in front of the Pierhouse Hotel).  There is also a fantastic little shop selling arts and crafts.




I'd recommend the short but gorgeous Clach Thoull circuit to really enjoy the loch scenery. The walk is signposted from the ferry car park and leads you along the cliff edge with spellbinding views of Loch Linnhe and Lismore.
  

As you round the corner of the headland you'll see a limestone arch - there is a path to the right here which is a little detour offering pretty views of the Lynn of Lorn.

Back on the track you'll pass the lovely arch and continue along the edge of Airds Bay before looping back to Port Appin.  (You'll come out near the village hall car park).






If you're looking for somewhere to refuel, you could enjoy coffee and cake or lunch at the Pierhouse Hotel.  The bar has a cosy log burning stove, beautiful views and a lovely room with comfortable chairs in which you can rest after your walk. 


And, of course, you could also hop on the passenger ferry to the Isle of Lismore for an afternoon of cycling or walking on the island.  

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