thank Strontian for the sugar in your tea! The element Strontium, used to extract sugar from sugar beet was discovered here

Strontian is a pretty hamlet near the head of the beautiful Loch Sunart. The name means ‘point of the fairies’ and it’s easy to see why – the village is set in lush wooded landscape – a welcome break from the moors of Glencoe to the east – with magical burns flowing into the crystal-clear loch, gentle hills rising on either bank. The area has a fascinating story of a floating church, and village has an interesting namesake thanks to an important discovery!

Strontian has a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere and may not be packed with attractions, but if you want to take some time out, enjoy nature and take it slow, it’s prefect. Loch Sunart stretches for 19 miles from the village until it meets the Sound of Mull and the Minch waters beyond. Famous for its wildlife, chances are you’ll spot seals basking on the rocks, herons and oystercatchers feeding in the shallows, or even – if you’re lucky – an otter coming down to the water to feed.

The loch’s banks are lined with Atlantic Oak woodland – Scotland’s own rainforest! Thanks to the mils Atlantic climate, this magical forest is blanketed with mosses and lichens, wild garlic, ferns and bluebells – creating a real fairytale feeling. You can spend hours in the woods, spotting dragonflies, wood warblers, butterflies and more.

On the northern bank of the loch around 10 miles west of Strontian lies Dun Ghallain – ‘fort of the storm’ – on a rocky islet accessible only at low water. These ruins date back to the iron age, and surveying the loch from the fort, you can imagine life back then – defending your shores from invaders!

The area is packed with fascinating history and mythical tales. One story tells of a Chieftain who fell in love with a maiden of low social status. The Chieftain’s mother disapproved of the match and turned the maiden into a swan. The Chieftain, not knowing this, killed the swan while out hunting – and was heartbroken to see the swan’s body take the form of his love. Unconsolable, he fell on his own sword, and the bodies of the two are said to lie beneath Dun Ghallain to this day. It is said that this is why there are no swans on Loch Sunart.

Strontian is also the site of a more recent event in history that is both unique and fascinating. In 1843, followers of the newly formed Free Church of Scotland were denied a place of worship on land. Fortunately for them, this did not extend out to sea! At the time, Glasgow was a centre for shipbuilding, and so the community commissioned the most unusual boat ever built on the Clyde – a floating church! Sadly the church was driven ashore in a storm, but continued to be used in its beached state until 1869, when the Church were allowed a proper building site on land.

Finally, Stontium’s claim to fame is that it was where the element Stronium was discovered in the 1790s! The first commercial use of the mineral was to extract sugar from sugar beet – so you can thank this wee village for the sugar in your tea!

The village has a small but very well-stocked local shop as well as a pottery and crafts shop. The closest supermarket is an hours drive away in Fort William, but we recommend shopping locally where possible.

Stronian may be small and may not be packed with attractions, but set in a beautiful landscape with oak woodland, glittering water and hills on all sides, is certainly a perfect place to kick back and relax. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and the history and myths that surround the area!