lighthouse keeper's cottages on the island
Erraid
lies off the south west tip of the Ross of Mull. Five miles drive from Fionnphort.
An hour or two either side of low water, it’s linked to the Ross by a broad expanse of sand. The beach area is called Knockvolegan and two 360 images are shown below. Warning, the beaches are tidal.
The island is now owned by a family from overseas, but for most of the year is used by the Findhorn Community. This group runs course and “retreats” and grows a large proportion of its soft fruits and vegetables. These gardens have now been expertly managed, on an “organic” basis for years and are of a very high standard.
Balfours Bay
The author Robert Lewis Stevenson was raised on Erraid, as a member of the great Stevenson Family, renowned for lighthouse engineering.
In Stevenson’s “Kidnapped”, the hero, David Balfour is shipwrecked and comes ashore on the south coast of Erraid (Balfour Bay). In “Treasure Island”, Jack Hawkins chart bears a resemblance to Erraid.
lighthouse signal station.
The island is connected by beach at low tide to the Isle of Mull. It is renowned for being one of the driest and sunniest places on the west coast of Scotland.
The island has a disused signal station for the lighthouses on Dubh Artach and Skerryvore.
Behind the houses, on the hill, is the renovated disused signal station for the lighthouse. This provides spectacular panoramic views of Iona and the Ross of Mull to the north, and the Torran Rocks to the south. On a clear day, you can see the ‘Dhu Heartach’ lighthouse, 10 miles away to the south west, standing 126 feet high, marking a dangerous rock.
Erraid map click to enlarge
Isle of Erraid, click for a 360 view
Knockvologan Beach 1
Knockvologan Beach 2