A winter paddle around Arisaig

Despite freezing Easterly winter winds, on Easter Sunday we decided we be brave and do a speedy trip around the Arisaig skerries. The tide was high enough to start our route from the parking spot at the end of the small road South West of the village.

We started off by doing a quick loop around the skerries whist the tide covered most the sand and then paddled south around the Rubh' Arisaig headland to the beautiful sandy beach at Port Nam Murrach.

A garden of shells and coral on one of the skerries.

Andrea sporting some new fetching headwear

A view across the Arisaig Skerries at low tide

Looking North from Port Nam Murrach

The beach at Port Nam Murrach

Summary

One of the best day trips in the area! Although it's short the views and wildlife are stunning, so give yourself the whole day to enjoy.

Additional information

Distance
14km
Tides
The tides don’t appear to be particularly strong around the skerries, although they are stronger in the main channels. It's work considering if you park in the village and leave at high tide there's a strong chance you'll ending up with a long walk across the sands at the end of the day.
Swell
The skerries are relatively sheltered from swell, however if you venture beyond it can quickly become quite adventurous and the headland Rubh' Arisaig can get very lumpy if there's a swell running.
Wild life
Apart from seals the wild life tends to be in the rock pools and shallow water. It's work exploring the sands at low tide on foot to look at the shells and coral.
Access
Parking is limited, even in the winter.
Other information
There's several campsites and a great café in the village.
Other recommended routes
The two day trip from loch Ailort is excellent and gives you a greater sense of remoteness. It also means you won't have to worry about parking or the long carry at low tide.