INFORMATION ON THE LOCAL AREA

Glenancross is set amidst the splendour of the mountains, lochs, coastlines and sea of the North West Highlands of Scotland. Equidistant from the picturesque villages of Morar and Arisaig and a few miles from the larger fishing village of Mallaig.  From the farmhouse you can enjoy stunning coastal and mountain walks and you are a short walk away from the famous Camusdarach beach and there are local activities to suit absolutely everyone.

LOCAL VILLAGES

Glenancross is equidistant from the picturesque villages of Morar and Arisaig and only a few miles from the larger fishing village of Mallaig, which can provide all the provisions and entertainment to fully compliment your stay at Glenancross Farm.

MORAR
The village of Morar has a local hotel with bar and restaurant.  Visit the excellent road to the isles website to gain a fuller understanding of exactly what Morar has to offer at: www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/morar.html

ARISAIG
The village of Arisaig has a friendly hotel with bar a couple of restaurants, a local craft shop at the harbour, post office, coffee shop and a local grocery shop.  Again visit the excellent road to the isles website to gain a fuller understanding of exactly what Arisaig has to offer at: www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/arisaig.html

MALLAIG
Mallaig has a thriving town centre and many visitor attractions including the sea life centre, the busy working harbour and there is a heated indoor swimming pool with fun days for the children.  Mallaig has a full range of accommodation, banks, supermarkets, chemist, post office and a Tourist Information Center. Fresh fish and the famous Mallaig kippers are available in local hotels, restaurants and in the fish shops.   Visit the excellent road to the isles website to gain a fuller understanding of exactly what Mallaig has to offer at: www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/mallaig.html

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Glenancross is the perfect base from which to enjoy many outdoor pursuits, explore the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, or just put up your feet and relax.

Information provided below gives only a small example of what you can do when staying at Glenancross.  The details may not be exact or up to date, so please confirm for yourselves before making firm arrangements. 

FISHING
GOLF
The Traigh 9-hole golf course is based on a line of grassy hills, with the springy turf of a true links course. It is a nine hole course, par 68, SSS 65.  Traigh is a subtle golf course that rewards accurate shotmaking.  Good players are made to work for their scores, and yet high handicappers are given every chance.  In short, Traigh offers something for everyone.  Maintained to the highest standard, Traigh presents the golfer with all the traditional challenges of a classic seaside links.

The course is two miles north of Arisaig, six miles south of Mallaig, and forty miles west of Fort William. Take the A 830 Fort William to Mallaig road, and turn left half a mile north of Arisaig on to the B 8008 coastal road, which leads past the course.

Visitors are welcome seven days a week, and golf clubs can be hired at the clubhouse.  It also sells golf balls, clothing, and soft drinks and confectionery.  Green fees are £14.00 per day, £50.00 per week. www.traighgolf.co.uk

Fishing is readily accessible on Loch Morar where boat hire with fishing permits are available. Loch Morar is Britain's deepest freshwater loch which flows into Britain's shortest river, only 500 yards to the sea.  You may even catch Morag, Loch Morar's own monster.  

You must have a permit to fish on Loch Morar: There are a number of places you can get a permit to fish on Loch Morar:

Loch Supertintendant - Telephone 01687 462388 or 07733356850

Loch Morar Boat Hire - Contact Ewan MacDonald for permits and boat hire: Telephone 01687 462520

Morar Motors (in Morar Village) - Telephone 01687 462118

HILLWALKING / MUNRO'S / MOUNTAIN BIKING / SAILING / CANOING
Guided Hillwalks, Ranger Guided Walks are a  programme of local walks that operate each year during the summer.   There is a maximum 12 people on a walk and must be booked in advance. Contact Angus Macintyre, Coastal Ranger for the Sound of Arisaig (tel/fax: 01687 462 983) and visit the road to the isles website for more details on the walks planned: www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/walks.html and click here to see our walking information


The area is the perfect base for mountain bike riding and many other outdoor pursuits including, canoing (loch, river and sea), sailing and Munro climbing.  Click here to see our outdoor activity information

There are many Munro's to undertake and those nearest to Glenancross include: Ladhar Bheinn, Sgurr Thuilm, The Saddle and  Creag a Mhaim, along with the Fort William hills of Ben Nevis, the Mamores, the Glencoe hills and the Laggan and Monadh Liath.  Click here to see our walking information


AGRICULTURAL SHOW / HIGHLAND GAMES
There is a fascinating agricultural show at Camusdarach (normally June), focusing on the animals reared in the area.   Events in the show rings include the Neil Ross Working Sheepdog Display, dog show and Terrier race. There will also be a wood carver giving demonstrations, laser clay pigeon shooting, machinery displays, sheep shearing, Moidart Heavy Horse rides, cart rides and children's treasure hunt; see www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/agricultural-show.html

Highland games are run throughout July and August so keep an eye in local shops and hotels for information.


HORSE RIDING
The Skye Riding Centre provides horse riding, pony trekking and riding lessons for adults and children of all ages and abilities
The riding stables are just 15 minutes drive from Portree, in north-west Skye, highlands of Scotland. Skye Riding Centre puts the FUN into riding and your visit! : see Skye Riding Centre


JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN / HARRY POTTER'S HOGWARTHS EXPRESS
The Jacobite steam train as used in the Harry Potter movies runs along the spectacular West Highland Line and during the summer you can take this spectacular ride on the Jacobite Steam Train between Fort William and Mallaig. For 2003, this service operates Monday - Friday between 16 June and 3 October, and Sundays between 27 July and 31 August. Departs from Fort William railway station at 10.20am.   It is operated by the West Coast Railway Company Ltd. (telephone: 01524 732100 or fax: 01524 735518). Book your tickets by phoning 01463 239 026. www.steamtrain.info

SKYE AND SMALL ISLE CRUISES / DOLPHIN CRUISES
Cruises to the small isles of Eigg, Rum, Muck and Canna, as well as Skye can be taken from Mallaig and Arisaig, providing the chance to spot seals, dolphins, porpoise and minke whales, basking sharks have also been seen at certain times of the year. There are a wide variety of cruises available and only some are listed below.

Mallaig to Skye 
Caledonian MacBrayne, www.calmac.co.uk (phone 01687 462403) operate a roll-on roll-off car ferry to Armadale on Skye. The summer timetable (13 April - 20 October 2001) has departures from Mallaig daily at 08:40, 10:05, 11:35, 13:45, 15:15, 16:45 and 18:10. The return ferry leaves Armadale daily at 09:25, 10:50, 12:50, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30 and 18:50. (Sundays only June/July/August).
(Last boat in either direction only operates July/August but not on Tuesdays and Sundays).
 
The winter car ferry operates Monday-Friday only (21 October 2001 - 28 March 2002) from Mallaig at 08:40 and 16:00, and from Armadale at 09:20 and 16:40.
 
Mallaig to Barra, South Uist, and the Small Isles
There is a summer service connecting Mallaig with Castlebay on the isle of Barra and then Lochboisdale on South Uist again check the Caledonian MacBrayne website, www.calmac.co.uk

There are year-round daily sailing's to the Small Isles (Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna). Check full details of all sailing times and prices on the Caledonian MacBrayne web site  www.calmac.co.uk

Arisaig to Small Isles
Arisaig Marine run day trips for foot-passengers to the Small Isles during the Summer. Details can be obtained by calling Arisaig Marine on 01687 450224


Enquires for Glenancross Farmhouse can be made by email or by phone.  We will get back to you as soon as possible - Thank you