Scottish anchorages

There are an astonishing number of ecclesiastical buildings (mostly ruined) and castles (mostly ruined), and some archaeological remains (by definition ruined) which are well worth a look. The fact that these structures are visible at all today is of course because they were built of stone and because they are far enough away from large centres of population that no one has wanted to plonk a supermarket over them. There are also some more contemporary structures to be visited and admired:

Lighthouses
You will sail past any number of lighthouses but there are at least two that are reasonably accessible for landing although these days they are unmanned and completely locked up: Lismore and Sanda Island lighthouses. Nonetheless it is still interesting to wander around the surrounding buildings and brood on what life must have been like for the lighthousemen (while reading the marvellous Bella Bathurst book, the Lighthouse Stevensons). I know it is not a lighthouse, but you will find the observatory on Erraid which was once used for keeping an eye on Dubh Artach Lighthouse, accessible from either David Balfour's Bay or the Tinker's Hole.

Distilleries
Some are really lovely buildings like Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Lagavullin, definitely worth looking at. Others are unlovely.

Canals
Canals are always fascinating, with their functional but attractive architecture, so ssential to the beginnings of the industrial revolution - at least in England. The two in this area, the Caledonian and the Crinan Canals, were built too late for commercial success but came into their own with the rise of leisure boating in the last half of the 20th century. You can view the former from Corpach on Upper Loch Linnhe and the latter from the Crinan basin.

Bridges
There are two splendid bridges - one from the 18th century at Clachan Seil a short walk from Puilladobrhain, and the other Edwardian and spanning Loch Etive at Connel under which you can sail although one does tend to be looking at the chart rather than the bridge at the time. On foot it is best viewed from Salamore Bay, Lower Loch Linnhe.

Domestic
This part of Scotland is not known for its domestic architecture. Most of the towns and villages are unattractive to look at with the exception of Tobermory, Bowmore and possibly Oban. Of course it doesn't help the architecture that the scenery behind the buildings is so extraordinarily lovely, impressive or both. Maybe if Fort William was transplanted to say Bedfordshire it would look better than it does under Ben Nevis.

There are just three old style dwellings that I know of to look at - the remains of a blackhouse on Eilean Macaskin, Loch Craignish and the two restored post blackhouse cottages - Sheila's cottage at Ulva Ferry and by the Heritage Museum on Lismore.

Of course almost everywhere you will stumble over the sad remains of long abandoned cottages, in particular at Ardalanish, Port Mor on Muck and Croggan.