The Muthu Fort William Hotel was formerly known as The West End Hotel and is situated at the west end of the High Street and affords some stunning mountain and loch views. The central location is ideal for exploring the attractions on The High Street in Fort William and the hotel is just a short distance from Loch Linnhe where otters can sometimes be seen on the jetty by the nearby Crannog.
Rhu Point Beach
Details
A rewarding walk to the magnificant beach at Port nam Murrach at the end of the Rhu peninsula near Arisaig, Morar with fabulous views on route of clear blue seas, dotted with small islands. A great place for a seashore safari, bird watching, botanising or just relaxing in this stunning location.
Look and listen out for pipits, skylarks, twites, lapwings and plovers on the heath, and waders, sea ducks, cormorants and shags, ringed plovers and otters along the coast. If you are lucky you may also see white-tailed eagle flying or fishing along the coastline.
Route details
1. Park in the layby by the old pier building at the end of the road to Rhu, near Arisaig. Follow the gravelled track into the Arisaig Estate which skirts around the coast with good views of the coastline. The route passes through heath Calluna- Erica assemblages with Bog myrtle (Myrica gale), and rough pasture, with many rocky outcrops. Take time to admire the patchwork of lichens on the outcrops, stone walls, and scattered boulders.
The track continues by the side of a house eventually ending at Rhu House.
2. Turn left at Rhu House walking along the boundary fence by the side of a wooden shed. Head through the metal gate and continue along the same fence line following the path, with a stone wall immediately to your right.
3. Go through a second metal gate and continue along the grassy/stony path towards the coast through the heath. The path can be a little wet and muddy in places. These damper paces support a range of bryophytes and ferns.
There are fabulous views as you approach the coast, silvery sand, dotted with rocky outcrops and boulders, turquoise blue seas and species rich coastal machair flora, a riot of colour in late Spring and Summer. The beach is covered with a variety of shells, particularly dense along the strand line, along with other washed-up items. There are also numerous small rock pools with small shrimp like crustacean, anemones, dog whelks, top shells and mussels. There is also an abundance of barnacles on the rocky outcrops, exposed at low tides.
Take time to explore the other beaches around the point, with range from sandy to shingle to boulder strewn. Look out for otters feeding among the fucoids and kelp forests.
This is a great spot for relaxing, rock-pooling, beachcombing, botanising or just enjoying a picnic or coffee break.
4. Return by the same route.
Location
starting grid ref:
NM627851
Links to useful information
grade:
- easy
terrain:
track, path and beach
length:
4.4km (2.75 miles)
Type:
- there and back
Safety
Route details and information are provided in good faith. All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively. Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation. Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy. Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.
