West is best

WeST iS beST AnD We SHOuLD KnOW!

Want to add a little something extra to your stay in the West Highlands and islands? Just follow our advice. We love to live and work in one of the most beautiful places on earth where even the drive to and from work is breathtaking. Here are some of our favourite places and things to do.

QuALiTy iSLAnD TiMe

niCKy MuRPHy, ADveRTiSinG DiReCTOR

For the second time our family island-hopped in a campervan from Barra to Stornoway and then back home via Ullapool.

We meandered along the stunning coastlines for a week, doing lots of beach hunting and seeking out incredible local craft and food producers.

We watched the plane land on the beach on Barra, splashed about in the sea at Vatersay (great beachside Cafe there too; Vatersay Hall Cafe), spent all day basking in the sun at Luskentyre on Harris, invested in some lovely cushions and tableware from the Harris Tweed, Isle of Harris Shop; enjoyed fi sh and chips overlooking the harbour at Stornoway. I just loved whiling away the hours with our eight-year old as she got some quality, island-time with her mum and dad.

TIPS: Don’t expect anything to happen on a Sunday on Lewis. Stock up on food and drink the day before and chill out, respecting the island’s traditional Sabbath.

If you are in a camper please book onto a campsite - wild camping sounds great but if everyone did it the islands would be a chaotic mess.

Th e campsites are fantastic, with great facilities and stunning views. Our favourite this year was Horgabost on Harris, mainly because of the amazing beach location and on-site food van.

Look out for tiny roadside honesty box huts selling all sorts of things from mustards to cakes and jewellery.

WHen COMMuTinG iS A JOy

MARiAn MiLLeR, Sub-eDiTOR

I cross the Connel Bridge to and from work every day and while the bridge remains a constant the view from it shift s continually; whether it is the racing tides with kayakers, ott ers and seals playing underneath; Ben Cruachan painted pink by the sett ing sun or the heron perched on top of its struts.

Looking down from the bridge, the traffi c fl ow behind is forgott en as the mesmerising rush of Loch Etive’s water channels through the narrows that are the Falls of Lora while the seals snooze on a small island that gradually submerges on the incoming tide.

Below the bridge on the north side, where the shore up the loch can be walked from the bridge as far as the eye can see, the power of the water and the scale of engineering is brought into focus.

TIP: Above or below the bridge there is always something to see, take the time to park up and enjoy it. Th ere is a pedestrian footpath across the bridge but it is narrow, so be careful.

GLORiOuS GOLf

GeORGe GRAHAM, DiviSiOnAL DiReCTOR (NEWSPAPERS)

I play golf fi ve times a week at Glencruitt en.

Th e course is oft en described as ‘quirky’ with its hilly parkland, and some challenging, elevated tees and greens.

Th ere is an excellent clubhouse and visitors are always welcomed warmly; Glencruitt en will never fail to give you a good day’s golf.

Don’t forget that this is Robert MacIntyre’s home course; his dad is the green keeper.

TIP: Th ere are so many excellent courses in the West Highlands and islands, making this an ideal golfi ng holiday destination. Th e fi rst hole at Machrihanish is world-famous, and special mention has to go to the way that club rebuilt aft er the disastrous clubhouse fi re in 2018

HAve LunCH WiTH HiSTORy

STePHen DAy, iT MAnAGeR

My job takes me all over Argyll and up into the Highlands. Aft er a stressful day of trying to make digital things work gett ing the chance to take my lunch and sitt ing up in the ancient Dunadd Fort can very much cool the brain and slow the heart.

Sitt ing in a warm breeze I look over the fi elds and land below and wonder what life was like then when it was a bustling sett lement and what my ancestors would think of the strange, hectic lives we lead now.

TIP: Signposted two miles south of Kilmartin off the A816. Parking available. Grid reference: NR 837 936.

SHinTy MuM

LeSLey MCKeRRACHeR, CHief Sub-eDiTOR

Shinty. You might not have heard of it, but everyone visiting the west Highlands should put a shinty match top of their ‘must do’ list.

Watching passionate teams of men and women hit a ball with a curved stick is so exciting to watch.

As a ‘shinty mum’ I have watched my three sons learn the game from primary school age. There’s a fantastic gateway for young boys and girls to progress to the top of the game, culminating in representing their country at national level in an international against their hurling counterparts from Ireland. But there’s so much in between. Primary school leagues and cup competitions, secondary school events and Camanachd Association cups and leagues the length and breadth of the country.

Even if you don’t make it to shinty’s blue riband event, the Camananchd Cup final, make sure you get along to one of the many club matches played at the weekends. It’s so exciting to watch these talented young - and not so young - men and women play the ancient sport. Get along to a shinty match and enjoy everything a match can offer.

TIP: Find out all the latest shinty news, results and fixtures each week in The Oban Times. Even working from home can be special in the West Highlands. When you are sitting at the keyboard and get that feeling you are being watched. . .

neveR LeAve HOMe WiTHOuT yOuR binOCuLARS

JOAnne SiMMS, fReeLAnCe WRiTeR

Sometimes you need to lift your spirits after a day reporting sheriff court. A’Chleit beach is the place; white sands overlooking the Sound of Gigha next to the beautiful church.

Depending on the time and tide there are seals on the rocks, otters in the kelp patch or dolphins in the sound; always keep a pair of compact binos in your glove box. It’s also a great beach for finding sea glass.

And it is even better if you stop off at Muasdale Stores first and pick up some seriously good coffee and homebaking from Will.

It is not always this tranquil. After photographing an event at the church one stormy October day I was feet braced against the pedals, clinging onto the interior door handle with all my strength, fighting the wind and praying I wouldn’t have to tell Howard Bennett that the door had been ripped off his brand new pool car with only 300 miles on the clock. The wind dropped, the door slammed shut and I only had to explain why the interior was soaking wet. Never got rid of the salt marks in the upholstery, mind you.

TIPS: A’Chleit beach, Kintyre, off A83, follow signs. Respect the cottages and church; avoid during services and weddings, when you can park by the bottle banks in Muasdale instead and take the path to the beach through incredible wild flowers full of bumbles.

WeDDinGS, WeST HiGHLAnD STyLe

RHOnA MCKiLLOP, ADveRTiSinG

eXeCuTive:

It was third time lucky when my son Craig married Rhoda on Skye this summer; they had to cancel twice because of Covid.

Instead of the big wedding that had originally been planned, a party of 16 family and close friends took over the Hame Hotel near Dunvegan for the weekend.

Rhoda’s father, James Beaton, is a minister and conducted the ceremony there. The weather was glorious, the view across the loch stunning and the food, with much use of locally-sourced produce, was superb.

They would never have thought of this style of wedding if circumstances were normal and everyone agreed it was magical.

TIP: If planning a wedding, why not think small and intimate – you can always hold the traditional big gathering and ceilidh afterwards. More and more of the hotels I work with – of all sizes and locations - are now wedding destinations.