Aros castle

This castle can be visited from a small and surprisingly sheltered anchorage just off the pier by the White House (conspic as they say). The trouble is the owner clearly does not like folk stepping off their boats into what turns out to be his back garden (not that you would know from the Sailing Directions, or indeed by a casual look from your boat). So, if he seems to be around it is less verbal hassle to anchor off the castle itself, a longer row to the shore and less shelter, but OK for a quick visit. In fact the 13th century originally McDougall castle is not all that interesting – it is fairly ruined and overgrown, not being looked after it seems, and although there is more left of it than Ardtornish castle the position is not so exciting. By the start of the 18th century it was derelict. Mind you it was in a very strategic position half way up the Sound of Mull, and commanding the direct route through Salen to the west of the island. Only worth visiting if you collect castles and wear the hood up on your anorak. But then I suppose you could walk round to Salen. The white farmhouse just behind it - Aros Mains - has self catering accommodation. There is a ruined medieval chapel, Cill an Ailein, a couple of kilometres WNW of the castle which I have not seen but it must be difficult to find in the plantation. And there is a bit of a beach below the castle - not much, but enough to satisfy undiscriminating children.