Day trips run from Arisaig to the Small Isles and from Mallaig to a variety
of destinations such as the Knoydart Peninsular, Loch Scavaig and Loch Coruisk
and are a most enjoyable day out. Remember to bring something warm to wear and
sun cream and a hat. The combination of sun, clear sea air and wind can easily
burn without you noticing.
Approaching the Sgurr of Eigg on the Sheerwater |
The trips to the Small Isles of Eigg, Rhum
and Muck with M.V. Sheerwater
from Arisaig allow you time on an island and also looks out for and
follows any whales, basking shark or dolphins that are sighted on the journey.
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Cal Mac Ferries run
a regular car ferry service to Skye from Mallaig all year round. You can charter
the motor yacht Frangag,
complete with skipper, for an hour, a day or a week.
Or you can take a boat trip up Loch Shiel on the M.V.Sileas
from Glenfinnan.
"Glenfinnan is an excellent local trip - take the cruise
along Loch Shiel. While there have a coffee in the Dining Car next to the railway
station"Steve and Di - Southampton
Steam train
"The
Jacobite" steam train (recently made famous by its appearance going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"!) runs from Fort William to Mallaig and back every day except Saturday between mid June and end September, stopping
to allow for photography and with time out in Mallaig at lunch-time.
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"The Jacobite" leaving Arisaig station
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Bird watching
"We made our first sighting of a golden eagle on Rum."
Brian & Lucy
The area is rich in a wide range of sea and shore birds, as well as birds of
prey, heron, many varieties of geese and ducks.
Lapwings
swoop and play in the field below the Lodges. Sea eagles can be seen occasionally
and have nested in the area, as do golden eagles. Rafts of Manx Shearwater may
be sighted on the journey to or from the Small Isles.
Photography
and painting
The area is a paradise for the photographer and painter, with constantly changing
light and a vast range of interesting images to focus lense or eye on.
| Many painters have used Ach na skia as a base for painting, including Ken Lochhead, seen here at work outside Creag Mhor Lodge. See some of the results on Ken's work on his website |
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Wild life
".. seen lots of seals and deer at Rhu and best of
all an otter."Michael & Lorraine
You are very aware here that you are sharing the earth with many wild creatures.
The quiet and careful observer can see much in the way of interesting flora
and fauna. Orchids and alpine type plants grow wild, the pretty colours and
patterns of the lichen that proliferates in this clean air cover the rocks.
Red deer are everywhere, pine marten are common, 
even wild cats 
can
be seen occasionally. Seals are easily spotted, otters less easily so. If you
go out in a kayak you may find yourself being investigated by a school of dolphin!
Visit Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre.
Boating,
wind surfing, sea kayaking
A great area to explore by water. Explore the islands in Arisaig bay.
"The sea canoe had a great christening - lovely secluded bays.... stunning
weather - blue seas and skies all week. We’ve had to use the sun barrier
cream!" Robson - Essex
Canyoning
For something a little different you might like to try swimming, sliding and
leaping your way down waterfalls with "Vertical Descents" at Onich.
"..the waterfalls reached a degree of violence and magnificence worthy
of Niagara." Geyer - Dundee
Skiing
Nevis Range
is an hour's drive, Glencoe
ski area an hour and a half from Ach na skia Croft.
Eating out
There is a range of places to enjoy a meal out. 200yds. up the hill from Ach na skia the Cnoc na Faire hotel serves tasty and reasonable meals in the bar.
In Arisaig the Arisaig Hotel serves bar and restaurant meals and has "barbies"
outside in summer. The café serves all day breakfasts. The "Old Library
Lodge" restaurant is worth a visit and Arisaig House Hotel serves meals
to non-residents if you feel like pushing the boat out. In Morar, Garramore
House also serves meals to non-residents. Mallaig has a choice of cafés,
restaurants and bar meals, as well as a fish and chip take-away.
Eating in
"excellent food from Sunset Thai cuisine" Bryan &
Ann
Try a delicious Thai take away if you fancy a break from cooking, or a take-out
pizza from the hotel.
Ceilidhs,
concerts, entertainment
"Going to Glenuig to hear the Barra MacNeills play was
a perfect end to a perfect holiday" Robson - Essex
To round off your day there is usually some kind of entertainment going on each
week, either in Arisaig, where the hotel has weekly music in the bar, in Mallaig,
or Glenuig, which gets some fantastic musicians playing in the hall and always
guarantees a lively night to remember. There are sometimes plays too, as well
as events for children in the day time and the occasional Family Ceilidh. Keep
an eye on our "What’s On" for events during your visit. Arisaig
Hall is now re-furbished and up and running, so look out for events there too.
Highland
Games and Agricultural Show
"If you haven’t been to a Highland Games it’s
worth the effort." Roberts - Sutton Coldfield
Arisaig Games - last Wednesday in July every year
Mallaig & Morar Games - first Monday in August every year
Glenfinnan Games - third Saturday in August every year
Road to the Isles
Agricultural Show - second Saturday in June every year
For still more information about the Road
to the Isles follow this link.
Honeymoons
A few couples enjoyed their honeymoon at Ach na skia Croft and then
returned with baby... and then again with another (so watch out - there must
be something in the air!)
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"Thank you
for a wonderful honeymoon. The scenery is beautiful and the beach is picturesque.
It’s worth stopping up just to see the sun setting (around 11pm).
I wish we were here longer as there’s so much to do and see. The one
wish we got was to see some wild red deer in their natural surroundings.
"Fosbrook - W.Yorks. |
Weather
This is one thing we can’t control, so come prepared for anything! Whatever the weather you will be cosy and warm in your accommodation.
"A very wild weekend. Fabulous meal at the Old Library
and the walk home in the pitch black and howling gale was an experience. The
seas whipped into a frenzy by the wild wind gave us hours of fun with our dog
on the glorious beaches" Anderson - Glasgow
"This has been the first time our kids have visited Scotland. Thanks to
the absolutely marvellous weather their opinion will always be that Scotland
is a place of blazing sun, blue sky, blue sea and dazzling sandy beaches. Thank
you God!" Ives - Malvern
" ... 22deg.C - 25deg.C for one whole week" Kielenstyn - Holland
"Disappointing weather has made us appreciate all the more that we are in
a comfortable chalet, immaculate and well equipped..." Strathie - E.Kilbride
For the children -
less than 1 hour away
" ..... kids have enjoyed the field, garden & wildlife"
" My favourite things were .. Marine World, playing on
the beaches, rockpooling and seeing the otter catching fish." Emma (age
9)
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Sandy beaches, rock pools, shallow bays
for paddling, rocks to jump off, islands to explore at low tide, sand dunes
- you name it, you can find it round here!
- Games in the field. There is a volley net
and ball and a boules pitch and loads of space to run around - though you
may have to chase the horses out first!
- Boat trips to the Small Isles with time ashore
to explore.
- Watch the fish being landed in Mallaig.
- Try to catch a fish in the river at the end
of the Croft
- The Agricultural Show and the Highland Games
have events and games for children.
- Mallaig Swimming Pool also has a pool table,
jacuzzi, sauna, solarium and fitness room. During the summer there are special
fun sessions for children.
- Mallaig Marine World - see all the sea creatures
at close quarters!
- Steam train journey from Fort William to Mallaig
and back.
- Look out for our What’s On notices -
there may be puppet shows or clown workshops or drumming and break-dancing
workshops going on while you’re here.
- Treasures of the Earth in Fort William - beautiful
gemstones and fossils.
- Aonach Mhor - ride up in the gondola to see
the views across Lochaber, have a walk on one of the trails, cycle down (if you're brave), or go skiing (dry slope in summer).
".... highlight was taking
the gondola to Aonach Mor/Ben Nevis - worth the trip for views - decent restaurant
at the top!" Helen & Tim - Macclesfield
BE SEEN IN POOR VISIBILITY OR IN AN EMERGENCY
For peace of mind carry a Flashy armband when walking, cycling, motor biking,
boating or driving.
* * * * * * * * * Click on the logo to order or find out more *
* * * * * * * *
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a starting point 
"Love the air quality and the beaches on the
way to Mallaig." Stimson - Uckfield
