Pictures of Scotland showing the Highland scenery at Corran ferry.- At least one ferry crossing in Scotland is still working. The Corran Ferry sails across Loch Linnhe at the Corran Narrows, a few miles south of Fort William, to glorious Ardgour. This picture was taken many years ago and since then, a newer ferry has replaced the one in the photograph. This is the gateway to the magically named areas of Ardgour, Morvern, Sunart , Kingairloch, Moidart and Ardnamurchan and is part of an old trade route, the original 'Road to the Isles.' This ferry does not just transport you to the other side of Loch Linnhe, it also seems to transport you back in time,to a quieter, more peaceful and relaxing way of life. Twenty minutes previously you were driving north on the busy road to Fort William with the cares of the world on your shoulders and the stench of exhaust fumes in your nostrils. Now as you stand beside the whitewashed walls of the Inn at Ardgour, a blanket of calm wraps its comfort around you and the smells of the wild, clear the head.

Some would say a good Malt whisky produces the same effect!

Travel south from the Ardgour Hotel on the A861 to Inversanda and Strontian, or you can enjoy a drive along the B 8043, a very narrow road, on the west side of Loch Linnhe to Kingairloch, a beautiful spot and then inland to Lochaline on the Sound Of Mull. The village of Strontian sits at the eastern end of the exquisite Loch Sunart which seperates Morven from Ardnamurchan, and was established in 1724, to provide accomodation for the lead miners and gave its name to the element of Strontium which was first discovered here. Take the A884 form Strontian, another single track road but with lots of passing places, climb up the hill and through Gleann Geal the White Glen of Morven and down to Lochaline. Now you are in one of Scotland's least visited areas. Kingairloch lies to the east of Lochaline and a fine walk through an uninhabited landscape( thanks to the clearances ) to Glensanda on the shores of Loch Linnhe, is worth the effort, with views across to Appin and the Isle of Lismore to enjoy.

The ruins of Ardtornish Castle dating from around the 13th or 14th century sit at Ardtornish Point with commanding views across the Sound of Mull. The castle is steeped in the history of the Lord of The Isles and was one of a chain of eight built on either side of the Sound of Mull. The ruins have witnessed both murder and intrigue. The last of the McInnis Chiefs was killed here with his sons, whilst guests of John MacDonald Lord of the Isles. In 1461 the Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Ross signed the treaty of "Westminster-Ardtornish" by which the Earl of Douglas and Edward IV proposed to divide Scotland between them.

Morvern became home to one of the most hated men in Scotland, the infamous Patrick Sellar who was responsuble for the brutal clearances of Strathnaver in Sutherland. He acquired substantial estates in the parish of Morven with the money he had made from the lands he had helped to clear. Many landowners in the area, lke Sellars, were only interested in the money they could make from sheep and, as elsewhere, the clearances in this area began.

The Isle of Mull can be reached by ferry from Lochaline in a thirty minute journey to Fishnish. But before you consider leaving the area you must visit Ardnarmurchan where there are lonely and beautiful beaches to enjoy in this most Westerly point of the British mainland and Moidart where you will find the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie and much more. Please visit the Ardgour sunset photograph in the first sheet of thumbnails where you can read about both of these areas.