Ardnamurchan is the bonniest peninsula I did ever see! Rugged, desolate and wild, it’s hard to believe places like this still exist a mere 4 hours from the bustle and hustle of Edinburgh.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and surround yourself with some of Scotland’s wildest scenery, the Ardnamurchan peninsula is for you! Here are my favourite things to do in Ardnamurchan.
1) Visit Castle Tioram
Pronounced ‘chee-rum’, this castle has topped my list of favourite castles! It is located on a tidal island and was once the ancient fortress of the MacDonald clan.
This castle is almost 800 years old, and surprisingly well intact despite being set on fire during the 18th century so it wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Government!
Getting there: There is a car park near the castle where you can park for free. From there, you can walk to the castle. During low tide you can actually walk across to explore the castle ruin.
2) See Ardnamurchan Lighthouse
This is possibly my favourite lighthouse in Scotland; located on the wild, windswept west coast, I can only guess at the wonder seafarers must have felt when they set their eyes upon the towering monument.
Bring your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for otters, dolphins and whales, which frequent the seas in this area.
3) Stay at Mingarry Park Luxury Hotel & Restaurant
Mingarry Park Luxury Hotel and Restaurant is the perfect rural retreat to base yourself when exploring Ardnamurchan.
It is owned owned by a local family, who have lived in the area their entire lives. The award-winning restaurant is a foodies’ delight; it has the best venison I’ve ever tasted- which is reared, butchered and hung on their farm. The sticky toffee pudding is also incredible.
This hotel is so lovely that you want to actually spend time in your accommodation; relax in the hot tub and soak in the views of Beinn Resipol, order cocktails to your room, or enjoy them in the garden pods- specially built so guests can enjoy the beautiful away from the rain (and midges!).
This hotel is excellent for couples, but it’s also child and baby-friendly too! I recommend a minimum stay of three nights so you can explore the region and have time to relax in this beautiful accommodation.
Save 10% on your stay
You can save 10% on your stay when you use the code KIWI10 (please note the discount excludes Saturdays). Click here to visit the Mingarry Park website.
4) Go to Sanna Bay
Known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, it’s worth the drive to Sanna Bay to observe the sweep of stunning white sand and azure waters.
Enjoy the views across to the Isles of Eigg and Rum!
5) Go hiking
There’s an abundant amount of hiking in Ardnamurchan (see the full list here) and going for walk in the wilderness is an absolute must when visiting one of the wildest places in Scotland!
There are walks ranging from easy to hard- so something for everyone. For those looking for a challenge, Beinn Resipol is the highest mountain in the area and has spectacular views across Ardnamurchan.
6) Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Glenfinnan Monument
The Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in Harry Potter, is located near Ardnamurchan and is worth visiting. Be sure to read my guide about the Jacobite Steam Train if you plan on riding or seeing the train cross the viaduct.
The Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is a must-visit. Learn about the history of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, as led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, at the very location where it began. The Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where 1,200 Highlanders gathered in Glenfinnan to pledge their allegiance to the cause.
Is visiting Ardnamurchan on your list?
This article was written as part of a sponsored campaign with Mingarry Park Luxury Hotel and Restaurant. All opinions and recommendations are genuine and my own.
MY BEST TRAVEL TIPS FOR SCOTLAND
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💜 Planning a Trip to Scotland Course: If you are looking for help to plan your trip from start to finish, my Planning A Trip To Scotland course is my absolute best resource for creating your itinerary! It includes 70+ videos about every aspect of planning a trip to Scotland.
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💜 Accommodation: I use Booking.com when booking my accommodation in Scotland. I also have a list of my recommended accommodation in Scotland here.
💜 Travel insurance: I always recommend booking travel insurance for any trip you take. Personally, I use CoverMore– I used to sell this insurance when I was a travel agent and dealt with claims on behalf of my customers frequently and they were really easy to deal with. World Nomads is also another high-quality insurance provider I recommend.
💜 Tours and Activities: I use GetYourGuide whenever I can to book tours and activities. I also recommend purchasing the Explorer Pass if you plan on visiting a few attractions.
💜 Transport: When hiring a car in the UK I always use Celtic Legend. You can save 10% off your car rental by using the referral code WAYFARINGKIWI when you ask for a quote. For train times and bookings I use Scotrail (Scotland’s main network) and I also compare prices with Trainline. For bus travel, I use Megabus for cheap fares.
💜 What to pack: The weather is changeable in Scotland and you can sometimes have four seasons in one day! I’ve written this comprehensive packing list for Scotland that will tell you everything you need to pack, whether you’re travelling from abroad or living locally and you’re planning a day trip to Scotland.
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