Sanna Bay – White Sand at the End of Ardnamurchan

The walk

Park in the small car park at Portuairk, at the end of its own side road off the B8007 beyond Kilchoan. The village is a scatter of white cottages round a rocky inlet, and it's the most westerly on the British mainland. Sanna is the next bay to the north. Walkhighlands gives the round from Portuairk to Sanna's beaches and Sanna Point as 7 km with 179 metres of climbing, and allows two and a half to three and a half hours. The ground is croft land and low rocky hills, then sand and dunes, with a stretch along the cliff tops. It's rough and wet in places, so wear boots.

Sanna itself is a string of sandy bays divided by black rock, the water clear green over the sand, with Muck, Eigg and Rum offshore. A board at Sanna, called Land of the Rings, explains the ring of hills inland: they are the roots of an ancient volcano. The beaches face the open Atlantic, so keep off the rocks when there's a swell. Sheep graze the crofts: keep dogs on a lead. Take food and water with you. From October, ring the Stables café at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on 01972 510210 before you count on it.

Sanna has a car park of its own at the end of its road, for anyone who only wants the beach. The B8007 is single-track and slow. 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, from the A830 at Lochailort or at the head of Loch Eil. From November to January, set off by 11.30am.