In July I took the family to Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse. It is a full hour and a quarter drive along single track roads  from Salen but it is well worth it particularly on a bright summers day. The real joy of coming here is that there is no other point on the west coast that gives you a chance to really orientate yourself in relation to the scattered islands of Skye, Mull, Arisaig, Coll, Tiree and the Mainland. This part of the west coast can get very confusing with all the bays and lochs of the coastline but this just adds to the beauty.

The lighthouse itself is also of some interest – a Stevenson lighthouse, which I thought was one famous engineer but I discovered was  several generations of the Stevenson family who built lighthouses all over the British Isles.

The exhibition centre and entrance to the top of the lighthouse itself is the perfect way to learn more about the lighthouse and the family and the staff were wonderfully friendly particularly to the children. The exhibition was atmospheric and had some really interesting facts and stories to tell about the pioneering spirit of those building the lighthouses around Britain in the early days when lighthouses were so important as so much trade was carried by ships and shipwrecks could cause such collossal financial ruin. Definitely a fun and educational day out on the west coast, suitable for all the family.