DAY 101
SATURDAY 30 MAY, 2015
AROS BRIDGE TO CRAIGNURE
16 MILES 7.5 HOURS
MORRIS, PHIL, BILL, GEORGE, STEWART.
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 1396 MILES
After yesterday’s unforgettable trip to Iona and Staffa it was back to our coast walk and the last walk of the May 2015 week, Our accommodation on Mull was the excellent Harbour Guest House in Tobermory (more about that after the walk write up) After a good nights sleep and an excellent full breakfast we set off in our minibus back to Aros Bridge. Again Stewart and Bill dropped us and we arrange to meet them at points along the route which allowed them to walk back to meet us. It was dry but cloudy when we set off walking on the grass area beside the A848 towards Salen. As we approached Salen Bay we stopped to view and photograph three extremely dilapidated boats on the beach at the side of the road. It was obvious they had all at sometime in the past been working boats earning their keep at sea. Walking round the edge of the sea we made our way to the pier in Salen where we spoke to John Grieve a diver and salvager who is the current owner of the three boats who told us some of the history of the boats.From Salen pier we were able to walk on the grass area beside the sea passed Eileanan Bana and on to the long shell and gravel beach at the airstrip. Just south of the airstrip the river Forsa runs out into the sea and we followed the river inland for a short distance to a pedestrian bridge where we crossed. A notice at the bridge declared it was for use by Forsa Estate workers only……yet another sad land owner. Continuing south we found what we think was the old road (shown on O.S.map) and followed this passed a Graveyard for a short distance before it joined the main A849 road. After a short road walk we were able to return to the sea edge which we followed until we were again forced onto the road at the Fishnish Timber Pier. Fortunately again our walk on the road was brief and we returned to the sea edge near Doire Dorch then made our way round Fishnish Bay to the forest. There are many paths in Fishnish forest and we opted to follow whichever ran closest to the sea.We eventually left the forest and joined the A884 near the jetty. A much needed lunch stop was enjoyed at the picnic area near Rubha Leth Thorcaill before we continued on a marked path through the forest to Garmony Point. For two miles south from Garmony Point the A849 road runs very close to the sea and as extensive road works were underway we were unable to walk this stretch. After a long delay due to traffic lights at the road works Stewart dropped us near the standing stones at Scallastle and we made our way round the golf course to Sgeir Mhic Chomhain. The next mile from here round passed Java Point to Craignure Bay could only be done on the very rugged and undulating sea edge rocks which proved extremely challenging. The short road walk to the end of the days walk in Craignure came as quite a relief. Again we enjoyed a refreshment stop at the Salen Hotel.
Summary; An excellent days walk with much of interest to see. In general the underfoot conditions were good the exception being the rocky shore round to Craignure Bay.
Highs; Some great views and most off the time good weather.
Lows; None, other than thats our May week over for another year.
Accommodation
Our accommodation during our stay on Mull was at the Harbour Guest House which is right on the front at Tobermory. We had a huge family room on the ground floor which had three beds and an upstairs twin room which was also very good. B&B was £40 per person per night which we thought was good value for money. Breakfasts were excellent with a good choice and as much as you could eat. Nothing was too much trouble for Richard and Liz who run a lovely Guest house which we would recommend to anyone.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Phil, George and Morris ready to set off from Aros Bridge
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- The road close to the sea south of Aros Bridge
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- Day 101; Looking across the bay to Aros Castle, Mull
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- Another view back to Aros Castle from near Salen Bay
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- George heading towards Salen Bay
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- The three boat wrecks near Salen Bay
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- Looking south over Salen Bay to Salen Pier
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- The sad looking wrecks near Salen Bay
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- Which are the sad looking wrecks ???
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- This one might have been called Pavonia
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- In its working life this one was called Mint and was apparently built in Arbroath
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- Another view of the wrecks
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- Looking back over Salen Bay from near Rubha Mor
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- They look even sadder in black and white
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- Salen Pier
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- Looking south down the Sound of Mull from near Rubha Mor
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- George and PhIl near Salen Pier
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- Looking south to the airstrip from Eileanan Bana
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- George and Phil on the long gravel and shell beach at the airstrip
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- Day 101; George making his way passed the airstrip. Mull
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- Panoramic view north from near the airstrip
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- The excellent grass path we followed passed the airstrip
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- The river Forsa running out to sea
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- The bridge we crossed over the river Forsa
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- George on the old road just after the graveyard
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- Where we had to join the main road
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- Back near the sea again
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- Approaching Fishnish timber pier
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- We had to walk on the road past the pier
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- Fishnish timber pier
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- The road walk south of Fishnish Timber Pier
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- Making our way round Fishnish Bay
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- A good path along the south side of Fishnish Bay
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- The path we followed through Fishnish forest
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- Looking south down the Sound of Mull from near Fishnish Point
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- Stewart leading the way through the forest
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- The Lochaline ferry jetty
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- Back on the forest path after lunch
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- Panoramic view from near Ban Eileanan
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- Day 101; Phil and Morris enjoying the view south from near Garmony point, Mull
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- At the sea edge near Garmony point
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- Making our way round Craignure golf course
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- George, Phil and Bill stop for a breather near Sgier Mhic Chomhain
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- Panoramic shot from near Sgier Mhic Chomhain
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- The rocky coast towards Java Point
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- Phil picking his way along the rocks
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- Its not getting any easier
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- Panoramic view across to mainland from near Java Point
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- Looking over to Craignure from Java Point
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- Back on a good path round Craignure Bay
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- The walk into Craignure
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- The team at the end of the walk at the pier in Craignure
CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE
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- DAY 101 ROUTE MAP