Explore — Greenwood Retreat

Greenwood Retreat is ideally situated for exploring the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, known for its wild landscapes and abundant wildlife. From the famous lighthouse and sandy beaches to the ancient oak forests and historical sites, there is plenty for you to experience by car, foot or boat.

Wildlife

If you are a keen ornithologist and nature lover you do not need to venture far from your cottage and the trails that weave through Greenwood Retreat. There is a wealth of bird species who visit the garden and gounds; yellow hammers, reed buntings, song thrushes and goldfinches, to name but a few. Each cottage has a bird table with food supplied to encourage close up encounters with these feathered friends. Higher up, on the hills behind the cottages, you will hear sky larks singing over their domain. Keep a watch out for golden eagles, sea eagles and buzzards ascending and descending effortlessly on the thermals. Minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins, seals and otters frequent Loch Sunart and have been seen from the shore line. Red and roe deer, red squirrels, badgers, stoats and pine martens all frequent the forest and hillside.

Gareth Chaddock, a keen photographer and frequent visitor to the Ruin & Byre, has kindly allowed us to share some of his images from his previous trips.

Local History

There is an ancient spring associated with St Columba on Greenwood Retreat’s land. Humble and unassuming it is located just next to the B8007 near the top of the hill to the west of the property. The story about the spring is best told in the words of Columba’s biographer, St Adomnam: “Once during the saint’s life of pilgrimage he was on a journey when a child was brought to him for baptism by his parents. But there was no water to be found in that spot. So the saint turned aside to the nearest rock, where he knelt and prayed a little while. When he stood up, he blessed the face of the rock, and at once water bubbled out from it in great quantity. Thereupon he baptised the child making this prophecy concerning him. “This little boy will live a long life, into extreme old age. In his youth he will be more or less a slave of the desires of his flesh, but afterwards he will devote himself as a soldier of Christ to the end of his days, and in old age will depart to the Lord.”All this happened to the man as the saint foretold. His name was Ligu Cenncalad. The place where his parents where was in Ardnamurchan, and a little spring is still to be seen there which is powerful in the name of St Columba. (Life of St Columba, P161-2).

Continuing West along the B8007, just around the corner from Greenwood Retreat, is Camus Nan Geall, a beautiful bay with Ben Hiant as a backdrop. Depending on the Gaelic spelling, Camus Nan Geall could mean “the bay of promise, the bay of the stranger, or the bay of cells or churches.” Amongst other remains of dwellings in the bay, there is a burial ground and a standing stone from the Bronze Age which also has Christian carvings from the times of the early Christian saints.

Ardnamurchan boasts many archaeological remains, with 22 scheduled monuments and protected sites including Neolithic cairns, Bronze Age Standing stones, 12th Century St Comghan’s Church and 13th century Castle Mingary and the more recently discovered Viking warrior in a boat burial in Swordle Bay.

Useful Information

Here are some great websites packed with local information:

West Highland Peninsulas - Activities, tours, local attractions.

Wild Ardnamurchan - walks, day trips, local produce and travel info.

Wild Lochaber - Wildlife, walking and travel info.

Heritage Ardnamurchan - The History & Heritage of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

Eating out & Buying local

Local Shops: Ferry Stores, Kilchoan, Salen Jetty Shop, Kilchoan Bakery - order a few days ahead, West Ardnamurchan Community Garden, Strontian Stores

Local Produce Market: Occurs every second Wednesday 11-2pm in Kilchoan Community Centre. Check social media sites for dates and updates Facebook Instagram

Whisky Ardnamurchan Distillery, Glenbeg

Local Cafes: Puffin Coffee-Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, Cafe Tioram,

Restaurants: Kilchoan Hotel, Mingary Castle, Loch Shiel Hotel, Ardshealach Restaurant, Kilcamb Lodge, Salen Hotel, Mingary Park, Bothy Bar

Tobermory: Tobermory Fish Compnany, Isle of Mull Cheese, Tobermory Bakery, Isle of Mull Ice Cream, Tobermory Distillery