Evacuees from St Kilda were taken to Lochaline to work in the forestry sector, despite never having seen a tree!

The Morvern Peninsula, from Strontian in the east to the coast facing the Sound of Mull and the Isle of Mull beyond, is a rugged expanse of moorland, ancient woodland, hills and gorgeous coastline. Once much more populated than it is today, the community is small but lively and the remains of ‘clearance villages – where inhabitants once lived before the Highland Clearances – can be found on the hillsides. This is truly a place to get away from it all – you certainly don’t end up here by accident! – and soak up the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views.

The main settlement on Morvern is Lochaline. This was once accessible only by sea before the road network linked the peninsula with the rest of the mainland, and diary entries from those who landed here express admiration of the beauty of this wonderful landscape and coastline. There’s no more fitting way to explore Morvern, therefore, than by boat, which you can hop on at Lochaline and cruise the Sound of Mull, Loch Sunart and Loch Linnhe. If you’re lucky you might even spot a seal, otter, dolphin, whale or eagle while you’re out.

There are endless walks around the Morvern Peninsula, both inland and coastal. Take an easy woodland path up to St Columba’s Chapel, set in the trees overlooking the Sound of Mull; wander the coastal road through deciduous woodland alongside Loch Aline or hike into the remote Rahoy Hills to enjoy some true isolation.

As you wander, keep a look out for the abandoned clearance villages including Arienas and Aoineadh Mhor. Ruined houses are accompanied by signs of industry in the area, most commonly charcoal making. The peninsula once supported a population of 2,500 – it is now a fraction of that – until large numbers of people were cleared from their land to make way for sheep farming. The ruined houses stand as a sad reminder of this infamous period in Scottish history.

Much of the land around Lochaline is owned by Ardtornish Estate, which includes fantastic gardens that are open to the public. Native and exotic plants and trees, lush woodland and bright colours provide a wonderful contrast to the wild, rugged lands beyond. You can even buy local, seasonal produce including venison from the estate’s deer.

The Morvern Peninsula has a rich history of Viking occupation and later as a stronghold of the Lord of the Isles. This is evident in the archaeology of the area, most notably Ardtornish Castle which stands on a prime defensive location on a headland in the Sound of Mull. Keil Museum is a fantastic place to visit and learn more about the turbulent history of the region.

In more recent history, inhabitants of the remote St Kilda archipelago, 41 miles west of the Outer Hebrides, were evacuated and brought to live on the mainland at Morvern in 1930. Many were given jobs at the Forestry Commission – seemingly ironic, as they has never seen a tree in their lives on the wind-battered islands. However, their climbing skills honed from collecting seabirds and their eggs from steep cliffs came in useful as they could access sites on steep sloped much easier than their colleagues, and they proved to be excellent forestry workers!

Morvern is ideally located to explore the popular Isle of Mull is within easy reach of Lochaline – the ferry takes just 20 minutes and runs multiple times a day, so day trips are possible.

Morvern really is a place to get away from it all – a place where life runs a little slower, letting you relax and take in the peaceful environment. You can expect a warm welcome, local food and a fascinating history to dive into.