Loch Sunart Shoreline Walk

Loch Sunart runs east to west for 35 km through Ardnamurchan and Sunart, surrounded by hills and woodland that give it a more intimate character than the open sea lochs further north. The walk from Strontian follows the northern shoreline westward through some of the finest Atlantic oakwood in Scotland, a nationally important habitat of gnarled oak, hazel, rowan and birch draped in mosses and ferns that thrives in the high rainfall of the western seaboard. Otters are regularly seen in the loch shallows and on the shoreline rocks, and red-throated divers, herons and mergansers are a constant presence on the water. The element giving the area its name, strontium, was first discovered here in 1790.

This is a genuinely dog friendly walk with good variety for both owner and dog. The woodland sections provide rich off-lead opportunity with minimal livestock risk under the oak canopy, though the lochside path has some grazing land where leads are needed. The shoreline itself gives swimming access in the calm sea-loch water at numerous points. The otter-watching potential adds an element of genuine wildlife interest that makes watching your dog explore the shoreline doubly rewarding. Strontian has a pub and small shop. The Ardnamurchan peninsula beyond is worth exploring further for those with time; this walk makes a natural first or last outing on a peninsula trip.