 OS pathfinder 342
map 1:25,000. A long walk, 8 miles in distance including your return. You
must allow 3-5 hours. Carsaig lies on the south coast of Mull, 3 miles south
east of Pennygael which is on the A849 midway between Craignure and
Fionnphort. From Seaview travel east along the A849 towards Pennyghael. Just
before Pennyghael there is a road signposted Carsaig off to the right. Drive
for about 1 mile down to Carsaig Pier. Do not park on the pier, but park
above it taking care not to cause on obstruction. CAR REQUIRED.
Starting
from Carsaig Pier take the wooded track just above the pier west, which
follows along the head of the shore. Looking south and eastwards are distant
views of Jura, Islay and Colonsay. On coming out of the trees on the
landward site is the picturesque bay of Carsaig with it's amphitheatre of
700ft cliffs., standing guard over a small fertile grassland. This spot is ideal
for a peaceful picnic on a sunny day. Continuing west , crossing over 2 burns
and follow the sometimes rough path at the head of the basalt, lava sheet shoreline. The cliffs on the landward side will tower above you all
the way to the Carsaig Arches.
On
the shore and Cliffside look out for the wild goats whom you will probably
smell before you see them. In sense you will probably note a wide variety of
nesting seabirds, golden eagles and ravens which are commonly spotted.
After approximately 1 hours walking you will arrive at a break in the
cliffs, known as the "Nuns
Pass", which can give you access to the moorland on the clifftops. Below the
pass you will see the "Nuns Cave".
Here nuns are suppose to have hidden here after being chased out of Iona.
Crosses going back to 6th-9th centuries are carved on the walls. Also a
carved sailing ship dated 1633 is carved there. Sandstone from the foreshore
below the cave was quarried for restoration work out of the Iona Abbey.
Continue
west on the path below the cliffs. Another hour further on the path ends
near the 1st of the 2 arches. Take care especially in wet conditions! These
are exposed parts, where the path runs close to the sea. The arches are an
impressive site, standing out on the shore with a jagged skyline of 1000ft
cliffs towering above them. The arches, originally sea caves, have been
eroded right through and eventually they will collapse to form sea stacks.
The large arch is 160ft from one end to the other. The second arch is taller
and slimmer. It also has a stack on top. The arches consist of columnar
basalts, not unlike those of Staffa, if not quite as spectacular. Return by
the same route emphasizing great care should be taken, especially near the
arches.Wildlife Watch
Wild goats,
deer, seals, otters, eagles, ravens and buzzards. Numerous varieties of
seabirds including shag, cormorant, herring, black backed gulls and
kittiwakes. There is also black guillemot, rock dove, rock pipit, wren,
oystercatcher, curlew and redshank.
MAP OS EXPLORER 375 Iona, Staffa and The Ross of Mull |
