|
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.
|
Tidal beach between
Erraid and Knockvologan
View across to Iona from ruined crofts on
Erraid
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. |
 |
