|
 The
bay has two small tidal islands and two Quarrymans' Cottages which the
Iona Community lease as an adventure camp. It is accessible by a 1.5
miles (2.4 km) walk down a moorland track and by boat. Activities run at
the centre include kayaking, abseiling, hill-walking, raft-building,
fishing, juggling and arts and crafts.
Camas has an organic garden that over the years has been taken care of
by different gardeners. The bottom garden has a poly tunnel and inside
grows lettuce, tomatoes and other vegetables. The bottom garden is also
home to many different herbs and sometimes fruit. As you move up the
garden there are seaweed beds which grow carrots and other hardy
vegetables. There is also a garden shed and igloo made from willow and a
small shed hidden within the trees.
The Camas Centre has two buildings built over 160 years ago that were
renovated in 2006 when mains water was added, a 6 kW wind turbine and an
Aquatron (composting toilet system) which turns human waste into compost
using composting worms. During the renovations the Centre was closed to
the public and the right of way was closed as the site was dangerous.
Now that Camas is re-opened it welcomes up to 28 guests a week and
offers activity weeks, themed weeks and open weeks.
The disused quarry is on the opposite
side of the bay and can be reached by walking east along the shore and
crossing at the head of the inlet then walking down the other side of
the lagoon. From the old quarry above, the disused tramway leads down to
a superb granite block pier where the granite was exported to Tiree and
thereafter to Skerryvore. The granite here is
not as pink as that of the Tormore quarry, and also has a coarser
texture. The granite was used to build Skerryvore Lighthouse which sits
out in the Atlantic approx 30 miles west of The Ross of Mull, pounded by
the severest storms since 1844. The lighthouse was designed by Alan
Stevenson (one of the "Lighthouse Stevenson's") uncle of the writer
Robert Louis.
 Camus
is a peaceful spot, ideal for a picnic. On looking north you see
panoramic views of North Mull, Ulva and Little Colonsay. If you are quiet
on arrival you may see seals and otters playing in the bay. You return
home the same way as you came. As you retrace your steps along the path
on the open moor approximately halfway along there is a large open ditch
running north. Follow the ditch crossing the peat moor heading north for
a few hundred yards. This walking is rugged and wet with no defined
track, watch out for the peat bog! Ahead of you is a hillock, follow
the bottom of the hillock north until you see a small burn and follow
this down a gentle slope until you see the short machair grass and two
wonderful sandy beaches ahead of you. Traigh
na Margaidh (Market Bay) is one
of a very few sand beaches on the north coast of the Ross. However, it
is one of the most scenic and secluded sands on the Ross with
magnificent views to Staffa and North Mull. The Royal Family used to
picnic here and perhaps "skinny dip" when they were cruising the western
isles on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Return the way you came to the track, turn right onto it, and trace your steps back to the main road. |
