Aoineadh Mor – A Cleared Township in Morvern
About 2.1 miles on foot.
Aoineadh Mor, said 'Inniemore', was a township in a quiet Morvern glen until 1824, when its people were cleared from the land.
Two waymarked paths lead through oak and birch wood and spruce forest to what is left, the low stone walls of the houses in rough pasture among the trees. The paths carry the names of Mary and James Cameron, who were among those put out. It's a short walk, and a place to take slowly.
- Time
- About an hour and three quarters: Forestry and Land Scotland's Mary's Path, 2.3 km and three-quarters of an hour, and James's Path, 2.4 km and an hour, which join into a round the Ardtornish Estate gives as 2.1 miles. A short woodland walk with one steep path.
- The path
- Uneven grass and gravel with steep slopes on Mary's Path; long steep slopes and rocky steps on James's Path.
- Where to start
- The Aoineadh Mor car park, on the left about two and a half miles along the minor road signposted Kinloch (Teacuis), which leaves the A884 about three and a half miles north of Lochaline. No charge. PA80 5XE is the nearest postcode.
- Set off
- From November to January, set off by 1.30pm to be back in daylight.
- When to go
- All year in daylight. From November to January set off by 1.30pm.
- Children
- Mary's Path suits children who walk well; James's Path has steep, rocky steps.
- Toilets
- The nearest public toilets are in Lochaline.
- Before you set out
- Cattle and horses graze the township area at times: dogs under close control. The Ardtornish Estate culls deer from 1 July to 15 February and asks walkers to keep to tracks and paths.
The walk
The Aoineadh Mor car park is on the minor road signposted Kinloch (Teacuis), which leaves the A884 about three and a half miles north of Lochaline. It's on the left after about two and a half miles, and Forestry and Land Scotland makes no charge to park. PA80 5XE is the nearest postcode. Two paths lead to the township, and they join to make a round. Mary's Path is 2.3 km and takes about three-quarters of an hour, through native oak and birch wood on uneven grass and gravel, with steep slopes and one short narrow stretch. James's Path is 2.4 km and takes about an hour.
It's graded strenuous, climbing through conifers on long steep slopes, with rocky steps that are slippery when wet, to a viewpoint over Loch Doire nam Mart. The Ardtornish Estate gives the whole circuit as 2.1 miles. Mary's Path is named for Mary Cameron, who left an account of the clearing of Aoineadh Mor in 1824. James's Path recalls James Cameron, who carried his aged mother out of the glen on his back. Smaller paths wind among the ruined houses. Cattle and horses graze here at times, so keep dogs under close control.
Ardtornish culls deer from 1 July to 15 February, most busily from August to December, and asks walkers to keep to tracks and paths. The nearest toilets, shop and places to eat are in Lochaline. The Corran Ferry is the short way to this side of Loch Linnhe when it's running, and its main boat is due a refit from November, so look at the Highland Council's Corran Ferry page first. The A861 comes round by road in any case, by the head of Loch Eil. From November to January, set off by 1.30pm.
If it rains
Much of the way is under trees, so it goes in a shower. James's Path has rocky steps that are slippery when wet: in rain, go out and back by Mary's Path.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Lizzie Lamyman via Google