Historic Mull: Penalbanach Traditional Cache
Historic Mull: Penalbanach
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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At the northern edge of Mull, Ardmore is the setting for a fine woodland and coastal path, and also a cycle track. The location offers fine views north to Ardnamurchan and west to the islands of Coll (nearest), Tiree, Rhum, and, if you're lucky with the weather, Skye too.
Over the years, as parts of the area have been felled, the physical history of Ardmore has been revealed, such as the ruined villages of Penalbanach and Ardmore itself.
From Ardmore Bay (GC4R1KF), the path continues along the rocky shoreline, scrambling across boulders and mini-headlands to pass a hide, where it is always a good idea to pause for a while to see what wildlife is passing by...of course, it's also a good idea to carry binoculars. Beyond the hide, the path curves up to follow a rising track that leads up to the ruins of the village of Penalbanach.
There are three obvious buildings, one allegedly the old school house. An 1881 map shows a farmstead here, which included four buildings and a series of enclosures.
It is vitally important that you do not enter the ruined buildings at Penalbanach;
they are unsafe and dangerous.
Beyond the ruins, you intercept a broad forest trail. Go left to return in due course to the start.
The wild and unspoilt coastline offers the walker fine views of seals, a variety of sea birds, eagles and otters, too. But the great pleasure here is in quiet contemplation of times and lives past, of the hardships those who lived here must have endured, and of the bountiful wildlife that awaits the quiet and the patient visitor.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n ybt, jvgu n svar ivrj