Scottish anchorages

Another anchorage for when the wind is in the north, and very pleasant it is too although it is a bit of a row to get ashore, maybe less at low tide but then a long walk carrying the dinghy. But it is worth going ashore to examine the three large stone buildings which is just about all there is, other than the fine beach and the birds. No trees either. Pretty bleak when the sun isn’t shining, but fabulous when it is

First the old castle, once a ruin but restored in the late 20th century and privately owned by Nicholas and Lavinia Maclean-Bristol; indeed, the owners regard the small patch of grass between their fence and the foreshore as part of their ‘garden’ so don’t settle down there amongst the sheep poo and spent cartridges. It is a strange looking castle too, essentially a tower house with something of a curtain wall all covered in very dull, but perhaps authentic, grey harling. Apparently there were no fireplaces, so it must have been hellish cold in winter. It was built originally by the MacLeans of Coll in the 15th century, altered in the late 16th and 17th centuries, but then abandoned in the 18th century when the MacLeans upgraded to an even stranger looking concoction next door, the new castle. Part of the strangeness of the old castle is that one is not used to seeing castles on Scottish beaches, they look better on rocky outcrops where they can be more easily defended. Indeed 'Pevsner' likens it to 'a heavily iced cake planted on the machair at the head of Loch Breacachadh'!

New Breacachadh Castle just up the hill is an 18th century mansion with wings which was then made ridiculous in the 19th century by the addition of a fourth floor with crenellated parapets and round corner turrets. Indeed Dr Johnson described it as 'a mere tradesman's box'! It is now falling to bits but an ever hopeful person is attempting restoration. It is hard not to wish the whole lot couldn’t just be taken apart and the stone used for something far nicer, but you never know it may turn out fine.

Like, for example, by far the nicest of the three constructions, the late 18th century farm steading, a delightful collection of buildings now being restored by I believe a group of five co-owners. A charming addition and complement to the landscape, not a foolish erection like the new castle.

The old castle