The most westerly part of the British mainland is not at Lands End as most folk expect. That distinction falls to a place a lot further north on the tip of a rugged West Highland headland. Ardnamurchan Point or more correctly Corrachadh Mor a little to the south, is as far west as it gets on the mainland. It offers unique views out to the the Small Isles, Skye and out across Hebridean seas to the outer isles. While the point with its lighthouse is justly famous for its views and seawatching Sanna Bay is a magnet for beach lovers.
Sanna is a Crofting Hamlet On the Edge of a Volcanic Ring Complex
The winding road from Kilchoan to Sanna takes you through some of the wildest terrain in all of Ardnamurchan. The road snakes round to Achnaha. There you will find yourself in the very heart of Ardnamurchan's famous volcanic ring. You are virtually surrounded by rough hills of magnetic gabro rock but the road escapes from the natural amphitheatre to the northwest. Sanna is a series of crofts and houses on the edge of the dunes.
The Crofts at Sanna Face to the Small Isles and the Hebrides.
The haphazard township at Sanna looks out to the Small Isles of Eigg, Rum and Muck. It is an idyllic setting nowadays but it once played its part in the notorious Highland Clearances. In the first part of the 19th Century the then Laird of Ardnamurchan demanded that the folk from Swordle further east were to be cleared. They came to this rugged township to carve a subsistence crofting community from among the peat, rock and rashes. Crofting still persists today in a limited way.
The Poet Alasdair MacLean Wrote of Crofting Life Here In the 20th Century
In his Night Falls On Ardnamurchan the Scottish poet and author Alasdair MacLean describes the arduous life on the waning crofting community. His poignant reminder of how hard life was for a crofter is now a minor classic. Today things are somewhat easier for those who still try to eke a living on the edge of the Hebridean ocean. There is still some livestock on the croft lands at Sanna and a few hardy folk now live there again year round. Most of the croft houses are now holiday lets for tourists in the season.
Sanna's Sandy Beaches Prove a Magnet for Visitors to Western Ardnamurchan
In good weather west highland tourists flock to the unspoilt beaches of Sanna Bay. The sea may be a lot colder than in southern Europe but the views are to die for. Ardnamurchan Lighthouse bristles to the south west at the Point of Ardnamurchan. The Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna lie to the north with the Skye beyond. These vistas form an idyllic backdrop to Sanna's series of beaches. The pristine sands are just the place to unwind for a few hours and it is all free.
Sanna Point is a Brilliant Place for a Spot For a Bit of Wildlife Watching
The headland at the northern end of Sanna Bay is an excellent spot for watching sea creatures. In season the waters around here prove a favourite haunt for minke whales. Those cetaceans can reach ten metres in length. When they surface their blow can be heard for quite some distance. Risso's and other dolphin types also pass through the area. In late summer basking sharks often feed offshore. They also grow to ten metres but they are harmless to humans as they live off microscopic plankton.
Dave McFadzean - Based in southwest Scotland I have been a freelance travel writer and photographer for nearly two decades. Building up a strong market for ...
