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Camas Tuath (North Bay)
OS map pathfinder 341 Iona and
Bunessan
MAP OS EXPLORER 373 Iona, Staffa and The Ross of
Mull
Approx. 3 miles, about 2 hours.
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A short walk
across open moor land on the Ross of Mull to a narrow bay, a bonnie quiet
spot with historic cottages.
Route Details
Car required. 5 minutes drive from Seaview on the A849 travelling
eastwards towards Bunessan. Approximately 150 yards before the Esso garage
at Ardfenaig on the left hand side, there is a gate and track. This is
your starting point. Stout footwear is recommended.
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On
leaving the road, cross the footbridge and go through the gate and onto
the track. Head northwards on the track for approx ¼ mile. The track at
first is hard with small stones as a base however it eventually narrows
and becomes grassy. On either side of you are pleasant, rolling, grassy
fields of Ardfenaig. At the end of this stretch, go through the gate.
The track bears right across open moor land. The track and moor land
become wet and muddy in the winter but generally dries out in the
summer. After ½ mile the track trails to the right through hilly
outcrops and then a splendid wall (built in the "Galloway" style)
borders the path down to Camas Tuath. |
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The
old quarry workers houses overlooking the bay are now used as an
adventure centre for young people. 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| Wildlife Watch
Eagles, buzzards, kestrels, seals,
otters, red deer, hen harrier, peregrine, Merlin, merganser and eider
ducks.
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