Places to visit from your base here in Strontian

From islands to castles, harbours, viaducts and famous places, you'll find plenty of inspiration in the local area.

The road shown above heads off to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, which in Gaelic translates as the headland of the great seas (Aird nam Murchan).  The South of the peninsular is the Northern shoreline of Loch Sunart and that's the longest sea loch in the Highlands, so it is tidal and constantly changing. To the West it runs from Salen out to Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse - the most westerly point of the British mainland.  The journey also takes you past several viewpoints, the Ardnamurchan Distillery, RSPB nature trail and a natural history centre. On the Northern coastline you'll find the beaches of Ardtoe and Sanna Bay and this coastline is designated as a National Scenic Area of outstanding beauty. 

While many of the trips here are easily accessible from the hotel, we've also included a few you might like to enjoy as part of your journey in to stay with us, so that you don't miss them if you could build them into your route.

Castle Tioram sits atop a rocky outcrop in Loch Moidart, and it is one of Scotland's most atmospheric monuments. You can reach it via a single-track lane and causeway at the end, although the drive favours the brave, it is a great walk whatever the weather, with easy parking at the end of an access road. There is no cafe there though so time your visit between meals!

The Ardnamurchan Lighthouse marks the most westerly point on the British mainland, with unrivalled panoramic views across the Small Isles and Inner Hebrides.  Here you get a sense of where geology, weather and history combine to make this a key landmark. There's a coffee shop, cafe, giftshop and toilets, so it's the perfect trip from Strontian.

A day trip to Mull is easy Strontian and you might want to set aside two days for it, not just one.  From the beautiful fishing port of Tobermory to a drive around the coastline to spot some of the wildlife, it's an unforgettable experience with breathtaking views. Take a look at some of the day trips with Staffa Tours, such as Fingal's Cave. The ferry goes from Lochaline (recommended) or Kilchoan. You can also find a useful guide to things to do in Mull here.

Harry Potter fans will recognise the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and, availability of parking permitting, you can take a circular walking route which takes in the Glenfinnan Station Museum. This has some interesting history about the railway and there's a a dining car and ice cream stall also located at the station. Alternatively you can take a ride on the Jacobite Train to Mallaig along one of the most famed routes in the UK or visit the Monument opposite.

The visitor centre at Glencoe is eco-friendly and accessible, with plentiful cheap parking including entry to the visitor centre on-site.  The centre is fascinating to explore, documenting the life of Clan MacDonald and the tragic Massacre of 1692. This area has appeared in several films; Harry Potter, Outlaw King, The 39 Steps, Braveheart, Rob Roy and Skyfall. Whether you go to the centre or not, the drive through Glencoe by road is exceptionally dramatic and haunting.

The Ardnamurchan Distillery is situated about halfway along the Southern peninsular road at Glenbeg and is described as Scotland's greenest distillery. It's relatively recent, having opened in July 2014, and it rapidly started producing award-winning world-class single malt. You can book a tour here, called 'Taste the Story', which ends with a partaking of a dram in the bar after the tour, and you get your own momento glass to remind you of your visit.

Known as the crossroads of the Highlands at the head of the Great Glen the Spean Bridge Commando Memorial offers a superb, atmospheric panoramic viewpoint.  It commemorates the elite soldiers who fell during the Second World War and who gained their Green Berets at the Commandos Basic Training Centre in nearby Achnacarry, so they would have marched this way. A Commando exhibition at the Spean Bridge Hotel explains the story.

A visit to the the Glenfinnan Memorial  will cover three great tourist destinations, the memorial, the viaduct and Loch Shiel.  It's a moving tribute to those who died fighting for the Jacobite cause, framed by dramatic Highland scenery. You can discover the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite Rising in the National Trust for Scotland's informative visitor centre.

Neptune's Staircase is a dramatic series of locks on the Caledonial Canal that connects east to west for small vessels. It's a great place to sit and watch the boats as they travel up and down the lock flight, and the West Highland train line crosses the canal at the bottom. There are a number of historic buildings, here, and it's a great spot to stop for a leisurely cuppa or ice cream.

The biggest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, is within striking distance for keen walkers, or a trip on the mountain gondolas up to the restaurant at the summit.

One for your drive in if you arrive via the South - lunch at the original Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and Restaurant, overlooking Loch Fyne itself.

Inveraray is another stunning stop on the way to us if you're coming from the Southern route, and you can enjoy half day stop or half-hour stop, it works brilliantly however much time you have.

The village of Plockton is a particularly pretty spot in a sheltered bay on Loch Carron surrounded by a range of hills. This is a popular tourist destination, and is always eye-catching thanks to the yachts bobbing in the bay, and the turquoise waters that change quickly in the light.  For artists and keen photographers,  Plockton is a target day out, and it could be incorporated into a trip via the beautiful Mallaig road with views out to Skye, Eigg and Rhum, and a ferry to Skye then another to Plockton. The alternative route is a road trip that will take you via Fort William and Spean Bridge.