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Isle of Erraid

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erraid

The small tidal isle of Erraid lies off the south west tip of the Ross of Mull about five miles drive from Fionnphort.  For an hour or two either side of low water, the island is linked to the Ross by a broad expanse of sand.  

HOW TO GET THERE

Leave Seaview, pass The Keel Row and turn right up the road signposted for Fidden past the Columba Centre. Keep going through Fidden Farm until you reach the gates for Knockvologan Farm (approx. 3miles). Go through the gate and follow the road up to the farmhouse - continue down the track from Knockvologan Farm, and turn west (right) when you reach the beach. Follow the beach round (almost as though you are coming back on yourself towards Fidden) and walk along the beach between Knockvologan and Erraid (Erraid will be on your left). 

Please make sure that you get the tide times right and that you get local advice before going across.  Click on this link for tide times port 360 for Iona. Good walking gear essential if you are going "overland"
 .

Walk round to the front of the island and follow the track from the beach past the old school house on your left towards the old Lighthouse Keeprs Cottage. Keep to the track and follow it along the front and round to the left - the track will start to climb. When you see the gate into the cottages, take a sharp right, through a gate and follow the track up the side of the hill past the meditation room on the right unti you reach some ruined crofts. Keep following the track - behind the houses, on the hill, the renovated disused signal station for the lighthouse, provides the spectacular panoramic views of Iona an the Ross of Mull to the north and the Torran Rocks to the south.  On a clear day, you can see the 'Dhu Artach' lighthouse, 10 miles away to the south west, standing 126 feet high, marking a dangerous rock. 
 
The author Robert Lewis Stevenson was raised on Erraid, being a member of the great Stevenson Family, renowned for lighthouse engineering. His father was the engineer who quarried the islands grey granite for use in constructing Skerryvore and Dubh Artach lighthouses. 

Climb to the observatory, which was the only means of communication between Dubh Artach Lighthouse (10 miles away) and mainland Erraid.  From here the views are stunning panorama of the surrounding area and this is where John proposed to Jane one rather glorious October day, and so Erraid has a special significance to both of us.
  

beach at low tide crossing
Tidal beach between
Erraid and Knockvologan

the view from erraid to iona

View across to Iona from ruined crofts on Erraid

erraid observatory for signal to lighthouse

Observatory used to signal to Dudh Artach lighthouse

At the north end, the expertly built houses, outhouses and pier are constructed of Erraid granite.  This was the land base of the construction of 'Dhu Heartach' Lighthouse and became the lighthouse keeper's and families homes. Visitors can see the disused quarry and granite blocks and the magnificent stone cottages of the lighthouse keepers. 

Erraid is now owned by a family from overseas, but is used by the Findhorn Community for most of the year.  This group runs course and "retreats" (for details go to their website by clicking here) and grows a large proportion of its soft fruits and vegetables.  These gardens have now been expertly managed, on and "organic" basis for years and are of a very high standard indeed.

erraid lighthouse cottages

In Stevenson's "Kidnapped", the hero, David Balfour is shipwrecked and comes ashore on the south coast of Erraid (Balfour Bay) at a sandy bay. In "Treasure Island", Jack Hawkins chart bears a resemblance to Erraid. We have enjoyed some great family picnics and BBQ's on this beach which although accessible on foot overland is much easier for us to reach in our boat the 'Wanderer'.

If you are interest in exploring Erraid, please ask John or Jane for advice - OS Map Pathfinder 22/32 
 

balfour bay on erraid
Balfours Bay on Erraid

Last amended 13/02/2009
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