📌 Port Appin, Argyll & Bute
★★★
The little village of Port Appin occupies a lovely coastal setting overlooking the strait between the Argyllshire mainland and the Isle of Lismore, but thousands of years ago, a settlement in this location would have been submerged by a metre or more of water. Today’s lower sea levels have formed a long, raised beach stretching around the headland (itself once an island) southwest of the village, with several natural arches where the sea broke through the limestone bedrock. The largest arch – Clach Tholl – is the highlight of this easy route circumnavigating the headland; you can also follow paths out to the tip of the headland for fabulous views down the Lynn of Lorn beyond the tidal ellipses of Appin Rocks. Port Appin has a couple of hotels and a village shop, so there are a few options for refreshment before or after the walk.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Lismore Ferry, Port Appin 
Looking back along the coast 
View ahead along the coast 
Outward track underneath raised cliffs 
Natural arch 
Looking through the arch 
Appin Rocks 
Looking back to the headland from Appin Rocks 
Path back from the headland 
Another natural arch 
Track to Airds Bay 
Airds Bay 
Return to Port Appin 
History display in the old lighthouse lantern
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at minor road end, Port Appin pier
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NM 903454
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.553313,-5.413816
🚌🚢 Port Appin
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 30 m | ⌛ 1 hr
Features: 🏠 Port Appin; 🌊 Appin Rocks headland & natural arches
⬤ Easy | Clear tracks & paths with gentle gradients.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Appin Rocks headland & natural arch – north side of Airds Bay – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: A few seabirds, small fish in the sea at Port Appin pier.
Weather: Hazy sun following a wet morning, temperature in mid teens.
June 2021
