Cullipool

Cullipool is yet another spot that I, and no doubt others, have sailed by countless times while hurrying with the tide either up or down the Sound of Luing, perhaps inhibited by the slightly tricky sounding entrance and exposure to the south west. But in fact it is a snug anchorage in an easterly wind with stunning views across to Mull and the islands of Nether Lorne. On shore is quite a large gaggle of early 19th Century cottages for the slate quarrymen. The whole place is steeped in slate – a still solid slate pier, abandoned or flooded quarries, crazed looking cliffs left over from blasting (this would be a scary place to bring up young children), bits of slate all over the place. But in the end it all closed down, in 1965. As you walk north of the pier pause to admire the amazing model train set up in the garden just north of Cullipool house. And the small sign on the gate – “Isle of Luing Railway Company”! To the right of the pier, in a few minutes, is a small island shop. Otherwise there is nothing of great interest except the charm and friendliness of a small island with no pub or hotel, still without the controversial fixed link across Cuan sound to Seil island, population of about 200, and about 20 in the primary school.