Moidart, together with Morar, Arisaig and Knoydart, forms part of the Rough Bounds, a wild, rugged and beautiful region in the West Highlands. Moidart lies to the east of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, abutting South Morar to the North, and separated by Loch Shiel from the regions of Sunart and Ardgour to the south. The boundaries of Moidart have been fluid over time and parts of the region were combined into the Parish Council of Moidart and Arisaig in the late 19th century. Some of the villages associated with Moidart include Mingarry, Dorlin, Dalnabreck, Kinlochmoidart, Roshven, Smirisary, Glenuig and Glenfinnan. Glenuig hosts a music venue (Glenuig Hall) and regularly hosts music and festival events throughout the season. There is also a small shop, post office and inn in the village. The Moidart History House (opened seasonally) is also well worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Moidart and its people.
Moidart is stepped in history, being a Land of Legend, of heroic deeds, rivalry and kingly ambitions.
Castle Tioram, the ancient fortress of the Clanranald, situated in a strategic location on the rocky tidal island of Elean Tioram in Loch Moidart, stands as a sombre testament to the changing fortunes of the Clanranald, Lord of the Isles.
A line of beech trees, The Seven Men of Moidart, near Kinlochmoidart, and the Glenfinnan Monument, at the head of Loch, commemorate the loyal Jacobites who rallied behind Bonnie Prince Charlie in his attempt to regain the British crown for the Stuarts in the 1745 uprising. Bonnie Prince Charles raised his Standard at Glenfinnan on 19th August 1745. The National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre contains a gift shop, café and an exhibition centre. The exhibtion centre detailing the Stuarts claim to fame, the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Uprising. To find out more about the history of Moidart, please visit Moidart Local History Group website.
Glenfinnan also boasts a fine viaduct completed in 1889 and a small, but interesting, Station Museum. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is 380 metres long, 30 metres high and with 21 arches and represent a remarkable achievement at the time in mass (non-reinforced) concrete construction. Glenfinnan Viaduct was made famous in the Harry Potters movies, as well as appearing in Ring of Bright Water, Charlotte Gray and the TV series Monarch of the Glen.
Moidart is an area renowned for both its woodland and its wild upland landscapes of wet heath, upland grasslands and blanket bog. The Atlantic oak woodland consists mainly sessile oak and pedunculate oak, with the trees strewn with a diverse collection of mosses, liverworts, lichens and epiphytic ferns. The woodlands support an abundance of invertebrates, which in turn, support a rich avian fauna. Mammals include red and roe deer, pine marten, badger and red squirrel. The upland areas of Moidart and the adjacent Ardgour support good densities of golden eagles and have been designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Black throated divers and white-tailed eagles are also seen on Loch Shiel.
Moidart is a great region for walking with some lovely woodland, upland and coastal walks. For example, there is a lovely walk to the crofting village of Smirisary and then onto a white sandy beach opposite Eilean Coille. Other lovely beaches in Moidart, including Dorlin beach and Samalaman beach in Glenuig.
There are some lovely cycle rides in the area including the 9km route between Dalilea and Kinlochmoidart.
Moidart is supported by good access roads so forms an ideal base from which to explore the wilder area, whether it be Mallaig and Arisaig to the north (including day trips to the Small Isles), Morvern to the south or Ardnamurchan to the west, as Fort William and the surrounding area to the east. Take time to enjoy and revel in this lovely part of the West Highlands; a stunning travel destination for the traveller and tourist alike.
There is a great selection of holiday accommodation in Moidart, ranging from self-catering cottages, lodges and estate properties in Moidart through to luxury hotels, guest houses and B&B. Make your holiday a Moidart and Ardnamurchan holiday this year.
Moidart is a place for immersing yourself in stunning scenery, wildlife, walking and history. It also provides an ideal place for the tourist who wants to explore the wider region.