Morvern Route - Chapter 16 (30 miles, 46 km)
This is a lovely section of the Way with quite a lot of walking on remote roads.
David was rowed across from Fishnish to Kinlochaline but the ferry only goes to Lochaline now.
The main road in Morvern generally has less ferry traffic than on Mull itself, with the exception of the section along the final stretch to the Corran Ferry. Morvern is a lovely area and unfortunately it is one of these areas that folk are too busy passing though to really appreciate.
The walking in Morvern is relatively easy and although there is quite a lot of walking on roads, the roads are quiet and make for pleasant walking. The section to Corran needs to be avoided if possible.
True to the licence that authors have, RLS has David Balfour rowed from Kingairloch across to the murder scene in the Lettermore Wood. Only the Kidnapped 130 team have sailed that section - it is too far to row!
From the Lochaline ferry terminal (NM679449) there is a path along Loch Aline to head of the loch where you cross the River Aline (NM698477) and follow the track on the east of the river to the main road at NM698498.
The track along Loch Aline: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The old sand mine workings by the track (there is a path around them):
      
Turn right at the end of the track onto the minor road and then take the first left to follow the River Aline.
Castle at the head of Loch Aline: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The entrance to Glen Dubh:
      
Once you have reached the main road, continue north along it to the entrance to Acharn (NM702505) where you can take the track/path through Gleann Dubh (the black glen), rejoining the main road at NM772569. Alternatively you can follow sections of the old road alongside the main road (but beware of the occasional burst of traffic coming off the ferry).
Glen Dubh (looking North): Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Glen Dubh (looking South):
      
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From the end of Gleann Dubh you can either follow the main road (A884) to the Corran ferry or take the quieter road (B8043) through to Kingairloch, where David was rowed across to the scene of the murder on the other side of Loch Linnhe. As well as being quieter, this road takes you along Loch Linnhe through small hamlets. Watch out for the odd stray cow or two though as well as deer.
The road to Kingairloch: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Walking down the road:
      
The church at Kingairloch: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Loch Linnhe:
      
Once you have crossed Loch Linnhe by the Corran Ferry there is a good footpath by the A82 all the way to Ballachulish
Beware: There is no footpath from where the B8043 meets the A861 (NM933544) at Inversanda to the Corran Ferry. You are advised to use your car or a taxi as this road can have very fast ferry traffic on it.
However, a local man has provided the following helpful information (the caveat being the state of the tide):Â
From observation I'd say that the shoreline from Inversanda to Corran Ferry is doable on foot.
The shoreline is walkable from Corran Ferry to the Ballachulish Bridge, with the possible exception of the headland just south of the ferry slipway which I'd describe as scramble-able rather than walkable, but there is the option of walking on the virtually brand new cycle path that runs from the Corran Ferry right to the bridge.
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