Highland Titles - Glencoe Estates Camas nan Geall, Ardnamurchan, by Caroline Walker After St Columba founded his monastery on Iona in the 6th century, his travels brought him here, to West Ardnamurchan. He is said to have landed at this bay, Camas nan Geall, where a fresh spring on the hillside is named after him and a cave on the north coast, near Swordle, was his place of retreat. At the time the peninsula was inhabited by Picts, but it was steadily colonized by Scots who came from Ireland. They created the Kingdom of Dalriada, and brought their language, Gaelic. Our trip yesterday along the Ardnamurchan peninsula took us through beautiful scenery to the lighthouse on the most westerly point on the British mainland. Along the way is a spectacular landscape created by repeated volcanic activity, glens carved out by huge glaciers, and rock formations that were once deposits on an ancient sea-bed. On the return journey is Camas Nan Geall, a wide open bay looking over towards Tobermory, The single track road above the bay is far enough away not to be obtrusive, and anyway there is not much traffic. Ashore there is a somewhat sandy beach OK for sand castles, and behind that a well tended field with sheep. But not just sheep. Over the centuries the farmers have kept away from and have now enclosed an 18th century burial ground with a couple of interesting head stones and even a standing stone on which is carved a Christian cross, and also some trees surrounding a broken down chambered cairn. These, along with some scattered domestic ruins, give the place a sad sort of a feeling, but the views are not to be missed - on a good day of course. There is also an iron age fort on the headland to the SW. Camas nan Geall, Ardnamurchan, by Caroline Walker After St Columba founded his monastery on Iona in the 6th century, his travels brought him here, to West Ardnamurchan. He is said to have landed at this bay, Camas nan Geall, where a fresh spring on the hillside is named after him and a cave on the north coast, near Swordle, was his place of retreat. At the time the peninsula was inhabited by Picts, but it was steadily colonized by Scots who came from Ireland. They created the Kingdom of Dalriada, and brought their language, Gaelic. Our trip yesterday along the Ardnamurchan peninsula took us through beautiful scenery to the lighthouse on the most westerly point on the British mainland. Along the way is a spectacular landscape created by repeated volcanic activity, glens carved out by huge glaciers, and rock formations that were once deposits on an ancient sea-bed. On the return journey is Camas Nan Geall, a wide open bay looking over towards Tobermory, The single track road above the bay is far enough away not to be obtrusive, and anyway there is not much traffic. Ashore there is a somewhat sandy beach OK for sand castles, and behind that a well tended field with sheep. But not just sheep. Over the centuries the farmers have kept away from and have now enclosed an 18th century burial ground with a couple of interesting head stones and even a standing stone on which is carved a Christian cross, and also some trees surrounding a broken down chambered cairn. These, along with some scattered domestic ruins, give the place a sad sort of a feeling, but the views are not to be missed - on a good day of course. There is also an iron age fort on the headland to the SW.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 05:15:28 +0000
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