Things To Do
Arisaig is surrounded by beautiful beaches. The famous Camusdarach beach (Local Hero) and the renowned Silver Sands of Morar are just a few minutes drive away. Local Traigh beach offers excellent beachcombing and wandering when the tide is low.
There are walks and hills aplenty in the area, and your host Chris is able to recommend and advise on some routes if you’re looking for a day of hiking.
A new pony trekking centre has opened locally and has been getting rave reviews.
Across the road from caRHUvan is a kids playpark.
Sea Kayaking
Highly recommended by everyone that tries it, why not have a go at kayaking to explore the sheltered waters and Skerries around Arisaig. It’s fun and suitable for all levels. see below for further details.
Video is courtesy of Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre. Contact these guys for a memorable adventure. Wet suits, kayaks and tuition will be provided and accompanied tours happen both morning and afternoon. See common and grey seals, otters, sea eagles and even basking sharks. For the more experienced, equipment can be directly hired from the centre.
Boat Trips
Find your sea-legs and take a journey to see the local wildlife and marine life, or visit the Inner Hebridean Islands of Muck, Eigg and Rum with Arisaig Marine Ltd. they have a comprehensive list of sailings from Arisaig, and these boys know where to find the wildlife. Skipper Ronnie Dyer has over 35 years experience in these waters and is well respected among local boat and wildlife operators. Clients have seen orcas, basking sharks, minke whales, porpoises, puffins, sea eagles and many more species when on board. Its certainly worth a day out.
Golf
Traigh Golf Club must be one of the most beautiful nine-hole golf courses in the world? The word Traigh (pronounced ‘try’) means ‘beach’ in Gaelic. A friendly club that welcomes guest players; players can hire clubs and trolleys at the clubhouse.
Walking & Running
There is no shortage of possible routes in the area. Rhu road, in front of the cottage, is definitely worth exploring along the west shoreline, and there is a charming walk (4.4km) to Rhu Point Beach. There are miles of walks along the north coastline along secluded beaches, dunes and craggy rocks. To plan something more specific, have a look at the Walk Highlands webpage on the area, which features walks that range from 2km-23km. Loch Morar has a quiet road for running, and superb views.
Arisaig in History
Meaning ‘the safe place’ in Gaelic, Arisaig is a sheltered village that nestles at the base of craggy Creag Mhor; incorporating the Sgurr an t’Sasaunnaich (peak of the Englishman) and the Sgurr an Albanaich (peak of the Scotsman). Arisaig extends west along the Rhu road (opposite the cottage) and north along the coast to Morar.
On 20 September 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for France from a place near the village following the failure of the Jacobite rising of 1745. The site of his departure is marked by the Prince’s Cairn, located at Loch nan Uamh to the east of Arisaig. In 1770 the Scottish Gaelic poet Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair died in Arisaig and was buried in the village’s Roman Catholic cemetery. Emigrants from this area founded Arisaig, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1785.
During the Second World War the area was taken over by the Special Operations Executive to train agents for missions in Occupied Europe. Arisaig House, along with many others, was used as a training school. The Land, Sea and Islands Centre in the village has a display on the connection between the SOE and Arisaig. On 11 November 2009 a memorial to Czech and Slovak soldiers, who trained as SOE agents between 1943 and 1945, was unveiled in Arisaig.
Arisaig Today
Arisaig is a bustling little community, its population burgeoning with tourists in the summer months. However, the local area consists of crofters who still work the land and produce the tastiest Highland beef and lamb, and fisherman who make their living on fishing boats or hand diving for scallops. Among the local community are all the usual professionals and tradespersons, as well as makkers and craftspersons.
The pristine local beaches are a sheltered and safe haven for families, and could be mistaken for the Caribbean but for the cooler Atlantic temperatures!
We ask all our guests to respect our beautiful landscape and never leave litter behind.