Scottish anchorages

Loch Aline is a much more promising place than the first impression you get from the remains of the silica mine at the narrow entrance. It opened in the 1940s and was closed down in December 2008 as being 'uneconomic' with the loss of 11 full time jobs, a really serious blow to such a fragile community (a year later the workers had still not found another job). However there is talk of re-opening in 2012. Of course the loch is an easy place to get in and out of, even at night. Also the walk along the coast to the very ruined Ardtornish Castle is absolutely lovely, full of wild flowers and views.

The village itself is not much of a place but there is a shop, and right next to it the extremely nice Whitehouse Restaurant (ph 01967 421 777). This is child friendly, does coffees and teas, as well as lunches and dinners. - they very much go for locally sourced food, simply cooked. They also sell some nice local crafts and have a spectacularly pleasant toilet. Very well worth a visit for sure even though you can’t easily anchor all that near, but since 2011 there are pontoons close by for which of course you have to pay, reasonably enough (marine manager ph 07583 800500). These were developed by the Morvern Community Development Company to encourage more business and employment after the silica mine closed down.

Down by the ferry pier you will find the well known Jean's snack bar selling what snack bars sell. The Dive Centre has a useful website.

It is well worthwhile to walk up the hill behind the village to Keil Church. The church itself, built in 1898, is not that interesting but two other things are. First, the graveyard with a lovely view across the gravestones up the Sound of Mull (with deer last time I was there on a quiet evening). Second, the small building next to it, once the schoolmaster's house, contains a wonderful collection of medieval Scottish grave slabs. These are very well displayed with excellent information about them.

Ardtornish House is a late nineteenth century gothic pile with an amazing clock tower at the head of the loch. It is a pleasant walk along either side of the loch to get there. In fact close-up the house doesn't have quite the fairy tale impression it gives from a distance, being in a curious way rather plain and dull, maybe because it is now I think all or mostly holiday flats and perhaps because it is of concrete construction, albeit faced with red sandstone. But the grounds and gardens are nice to wander around with lots of lovely trees and, in season, rhododendrons. Their website is certainly enthusiastic, albeit out of date in parts. And you can get married here.

Perhaps more interesting is just next door, the now very reconstructed and restored 15th century - and pink, but now not so pink as it was! - Kinlochaline Castle, built for the MacLeans of Duart as a tower house. You cannot get in but even the outside is worth a view. There is a high keep and perched on top what looks like a small highland house. It peeps out just above the trees as you sail up the loch.