Walks

"We landed for a ramble on the hillsides, our custom always of the afternoon, and one to be commended to persons who cruise in small boats, where exercise of the lower limbs is impossible" A Yachtsman's Holidays or Cruising in the Hebrides. John Inglis, Pickering and Co, London, 1879.

There are so many lovely walks, from almost all the anchorages, that I don't know what to advise except to get off the boat and get going. Here are some of my favourites, in alphabetical order of anchorage:

Aros Bay, Sound of Mull: around Aros Park, and to Tobermory

Bàgh Gleann a'Mhaoil, Firth of Lorne: to Kilmory Lodge

Belnahua, Firth of Lorne: to the abandoned slate quarries

Carna West Kyle, Loch Sunart: to Loch Drumbuie and on to Drimnin

Carsaig Bay, West Mull: walk west to the abandoned graveyard

Crinan, Firth of Lorne: through the woods, or up to Castle Dounie

Croggan, South and East Mull: to Port nan Crullach 

Cullipool, Firth of Lorne: village and abandoned slate quarries

Dunstaffnage, Lower Loch Linnhe: to Ganavan beach and on to Oban  

Easdale Island, Firth of Lorne: around the abandoned slate quarries

Eigg, North of Ardnamurchan: up the Sgurr

Gometra Harbour, West Mull: to or from  Acarsaid Mor

Kentallen: to or from Cuil Bay, Lower Loch Linnhe

Little Horseshoe Bay, to the Kerrera Tea Garden, Gylen Castle and back

Loch Aline, Sound of Mull: around the loch, and to and from  Ardtornish Bay and castle

Loch a'Choire, Lower Loch Linnhe: to the head of the loch, and the other way down to Kingairloch

Loch na Cille, Kintyre: to the tip of Rubha na Cille

Loch Mingary, West Mull: to Glengorm Castle

Loch Scavaig, North of Ardnamurchan: up the Cuillins (serious), or to Loch Coruisk

Loch Moidart, North of Ardnamurchan: shore path around Eilean Shona

Loch Spelve, South and East Mull: from the NW anchorage to the lochan and around

Lunga, West Mull: to the Harp Rock via the puffins and beyond

Muck, North of Ardnamurchan: between the north and south anchorages

Oban, Firth of Lorne: to McCaig's Tower or Ganavan Bay via Dunollie Castle

Oitir Mòr: Firth of Lorne: to and from Ardantrive bay via Hutcheson's monument

Poll nan Corran, Firth of Lorne: to the Grey Dogs

Port an Tiobairt, Jura: to the north end of the island and the Corryvreckan

Port Appin to and from Airds Bay, Lower Loch Linnhe

Sanda Island, Kintyre: to the lighthouse

South Ballachulish, Loch Leven: the Ballachulish Horseshoe(serious)

Staffa, West Mull: to Fingal's Cave and up to the top of the island

Tobermory, Sound of Mull: upper town, golf course to the lighthouse, and to Aros Bay 

Ulva Ferry, West Mull: around Ulva House and onwards  

And take a look at the walkhighlands website for other ideas

Remember, in Scotland you have 'freedom to roam' anywhere in the open countryside you want to provided you act responsibly — do not invade someone's privacy (eg by tramping through their garden), do not  ignore the usual countryside rules (close gates, don't trample on crops or upset animals and so on), and do not damage the environment.