Port an Ròin

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Argyllshire

Scotland

Port an Ròin

Old milepost One of the remaining mileposts on the B8035 road from Salen southwards to join the A849 for the 38 miles from Salen to Fionnphort and the Iona Ferry jetty. These posts on Mull made by Smith, Patterson of Blaydon are the only ones known to have been cast at that foundry that have a date, 1897. This post is on the west side of the road north of Balnahard. — Old milepost Credit: John Hicks

Port an Ròin, located in Argyllshire, Scotland, is a picturesque coastal settlement nestled on the shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. Situated at the mouth of a meandering estuary, this charming village is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich maritime heritage.

The sea plays a significant role in shaping the character of Port an Ròin. Its crystal-clear waters offer an ideal habitat for a diverse range of marine life, making it a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The village's rugged coastline is dotted with rocky outcrops and sandy coves, providing ample opportunities for beachcombing, coastal walks, and water-based activities such as kayaking and sailing.

The estuary, formed by the convergence of several small rivers, is a hub of ecological significance. Its tidal cycle creates a constantly changing landscape, with mudflats and salt marshes providing a haven for wading birds and other waterfowl. Visitors can witness the mesmerizing sight of flocks of migratory birds using the estuary as a stopover during their long journeys.

A small creek winds its way through the village, adding to its enchanting charm. Local fishermen often moor their colorful boats along the creek, which serves as a focal point for the community. The creek also offers a sheltered spot for leisurely boat trips, allowing visitors to explore the waterways and catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife that thrives in this idyllic setting.

Overall, Port an Ròin provides a tranquil retreat for those seeking a serene coastal experience. Its blend of rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and vibrant maritime culture make it a hidden gem in the heart of Argyllshire.

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Port an Ròin Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.438075/-6.1609744 or Grid Reference NM4335. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old milepost

One of the remaining mileposts on the B8035 road from Salen southwards to join the A849 for the 38 miles from Salen to Fionnphort and the Iona Ferry jetty. These posts on Mull made by Smith, Patterson of Blaydon are the only ones known to have been cast at that foundry that have a date, 1897. This post is on the west side of the road north of Balnahard.

John Hicks

Inch Kenneth from Gribun

Field gate and track leading from the B8035 at Gribun, Mull, down to the Loch opposite Inch Kenneth island

Peter Evans

Gribun sheep

Very inquisitive and/or hungry sheep along the B8035 at Gribun, Mull - February 2016

Peter Evans

Gribun cattle

Cattle around a ring-feeder on ground below the B8035 at Gribun, Mull. Inch Kenneth island is across the water and Little Colonsay further off to the left.

Peter Evans

Road near Clachandhu

Peter Moore

Cliffs on Mull

The road passes directly below these cliffs. It is very narrow with passing places so you hope not to meet something large coming the other way.

Malcolm Neal

On the bridge over the Alltan na Caillich

This is looking SE to the fantastic scenery (partly obscured by mist) that overlooks the A8035 and the coast of this part of Mull. The red-roofed house features in NM4534 : Corrugated House by the B8035 and NM4534 : Corrugated iron house at Balnahard. There is a rivet benchmark NM4534 : A well indicated benchmark on the right hand edge of the stone with the large patch of whitish lichen on its left hand edge.

Neville Goodman

A well indicated benchmark

The arrow of this rivet benchmark is really obvious, unlike many. The OS description is: RIVET E PARA BR OVER ALLTAN NA CAILLICH 1.3M N END. The bridge is shown in NM4534 : On the bridge over the Alltan na Caillich.

Neville Goodman

View to Inch Kenneth

Beyond the parapet of this bridge over an unnamed stream is a narrow strip of coast and a view to Inch Kenneth two squares to the west. There is a rivet benchmark NM4535 : Benchmark on bridge parapet on the central stone of the parapet.

Neville Goodman

Benchmark on bridge parapet

The OS description is: RIVET NW PARA BR 1.6M N END. The bridge is shown in NM4535 : View to Inch Kenneth.

Neville Goodman

Clachandhu from Rubha Baile na h-Airde

This is the point where the "Wilderness coast" of Mull becomes a little more subdued and is accessible to road building - the B8035 cuts across the Ardmeanach peninsula from Loch Scridain, and here drops down to a wide enough coastal plain on the shore of Loch na Keal. The flat area is at its most extensive just at this point, where a reef extends out into Loch na Keal towards Inch Kenneth and has provided enough shelter from the sea for a wide grassy area to form and provide some grazing, hence the habitation.

Andy Waddington

Balnahard from Rubha Baile na h-Airde

Having avoided the "Wilderness coast" by cutting across the Ardmeanach peninsula from Loch Scridain, the road rejoins the coast just north of Balnahard, where an area of low lying grassland provides enough grazing to support a tiny community. The screes, and cliffs behind rising to 200m face west, across a short and shallow stretch of Loch na Keal towards Inch Kenneth. The connecting reef is responsible for the shelter which has helped form the raised beach, now grassy but with a lot of flag iris which, being too tough to graze, thrives whilst other vegetation is kept down by the sheep.

Andy Waddington

Buried landscape on the Gribun coast

In Scotland where one is so used to seeing younger rocks thrust over older ones by the dramatic (if long drawn out) collision of continents, it's good to find a classic unconformity where the younger rocks (in this case Triassic conglomerates) were laid down over the top of an existing, ancient landscape. The lower rocks (grey, layered, fine-grained) are Psammites of the Moine Series - ancient impure sandstones metamorphosed by heat and pressure, then raised to the surface and eroded. They formed shoreline rocks as the sea covered them and deposited sand and pebbles which, with deeper burial, became the conglomerate rock you see above the eroded caves and below the grass. The uneven boundary between the two rock types shows the shape of the rocky shore before its burial. More recently again, in Tertiary times, as Europe and North America started to separate, the whole lot was buried deeper by lava flows. Erosion works constantly, and here they all are again exposed to view as the sea cuts away the land, leaving scattered boulders not only of the conglomerate and the psammite, but also of the basalt from the cliffs seen in the distance.

Andy Waddington

Setting sun over Inch Kenneth and Ulva

Looking across the mouth of Loch na Keal to Ulva. The southern part of Inch Kenneth is nearest the camera.

Ian Taylor

Shore of Loch na Keal alongside B8035

The B8035 below steep ground. Inch Kenneth is just offshore, out of view.

Trevor Littlewood

B8035 heading south

As the B8035 heads south at an area known as Gribun it's confined below some very steep ground and Loch Na Keal; here some of the steepness can be seen including the striking cleft of Alltan na Sròine.

Trevor Littlewood