An Dùnan

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Argyllshire

Scotland

An Dùnan

Basalt shore at the entrance of Loch Buie The rough basalt outcrops this side of Loch Buie, like the ones opposite on Rubha na Faoilinn, are part of the plateau group lavas on the southern flanks of the Mull Tertiary Volcanic Centre. On both sides, the lava flows overlie Lower Jurassic rocks which outcrop a little further east beyond the headland, and west of the photographer at Carsaig Bay (a happy hunting ground for bits of ammonite). — Basalt shore at the entrance of Loch Buie Credit: Andy Waddington

An Dùnan is a prominent headland located in Argyllshire, Scotland. Situated on the west coast of the country, it is known for its breathtaking coastal views and unique geological formations. The headland juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a rugged and dramatic landscape that is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

An Dùnan is characterized by its towering cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, providing a sense of grandeur and awe. These cliffs are made up of layers of sedimentary rock, showcasing the area's geological history. The headland is also home to a variety of marine life, including seabirds, seals, and occasionally dolphins, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

One of the most distinctive features of An Dùnan is the ancient fort that sits atop the headland. The fort, believed to date back to the Iron Age, is a testament to the area's rich history and provides a glimpse into the lives of the people who once inhabited the region. The fort's strategic location offers panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, making it an ideal spot for defensive purposes.

Visitors to An Dùnan can explore the headland via a network of walking trails that wind through the rugged landscape. These trails allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area, with stunning coastal vistas at every turn.

Overall, An Dùnan is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the beauty of Scotland's west coast. With its dramatic cliffs, ancient fort, and abundant wildlife, it is a must-visit destination for those seeking a truly unique and awe-inspiring natural experience.

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An Dùnan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.318878/-5.9480625 or Grid Reference NM5521. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Basalt shore at the entrance of Loch Buie

The rough basalt outcrops this side of Loch Buie, like the ones opposite on Rubha na Faoilinn, are part of the plateau group lavas on the southern flanks of the Mull Tertiary Volcanic Centre. On both sides, the lava flows overlie Lower Jurassic rocks which outcrop a little further east beyond the headland, and west of the photographer at Carsaig Bay (a happy hunting ground for bits of ammonite).

Andy Waddington

Slickrock path west of Rubha Dubh

Parts of the path between Carsaig Bay to the west and Loch Buie behind the photographer are very rough, or boggy, or vegetated. This stretch, however, is a delight to walk over grippy basalt rock outcrops with not much in the way of scrambly ascents or drops. One can even outpace Naismith's rule along this, which is very much not the case for the trip as a whole (even doing it both ways as we were, so we knew how to get round obtacles on the way back).

Andy Waddington

Heading for Carsaig Bay

The last section of the path from Loch Buie to Carsaig has reached relatively easy ground and by the next time that the shore gets rough and scrambly, it will bypass the difficulties via a pleasant path in the woods. This bit tends to lull walkers starting at Carsaig into something of a false sense of security, not realising how rough the route will become over its central section. Allow plenty of time.

Andy Waddington

Through the waterfall at Carraig MhÃ²r

Beyond the entrance to Loch Buie, the coast path to Carsaig looks out over more extensive water - the Firth of Lorne. By scrambling behind the waterfall (which can be done without getting wet, at least in this weather) the view can include water closer to hand, made a little more visible with a 1/10 second exposure. This is one of the higher waterfalls along the route, and isn't cut into such a deep notch in the cliffs as some of the others, as can be seen looking in the opposite direction NM5521 : Waterfall at Carraig Mhòr.

Andy Waddington

Waterfall at Carraig MhÃ²r

This is one of the higher waterfalls along the coast path between Carsaig and Loch Buie, and is in less of a deep notch in the cliffs than many, so it is possible, whilst staying dry (at least with this much water) to get behind the lower half of the fall NM5521 : Through the waterfall at Carraig Mhòr. We're not that far from Carsaig, and it looks possible to climb above the cliffs from An Dunan. This would make a very fine canyoning abseil descent in the sunshine without the epic walks-in and boat departures that some of the south coast falls would entail.

Andy Waddington

Forking dyke at Carraig MhÃ²r

This dyke doesn't seem to have been thought big enough to map on the 1:50000 1992 Geological sheet 44 but seems to be parallel to a fault which marks the boundary between lava flows to the east downfault past the Lower Jurassic Strata exposed either side of the dyke. On the aerial view it appears very curved, but seen here close up, the main dyke indeed curves west, but a subsidiary dyke, on the left in this view, and much more jointed, suggesting more rapid cooling, splits off from the main one and continues straight down towards the tide line. For anyone wanting to get across the slippery weed-covered tidal rocks to reach the tiny bit of land in the square to the south, the dyke forms a convenient walkway, for the most part remaining high enough not to have been colonised by the seaweed.

Andy Waddington

Footpath to Carsaig

The part of the Carsaig to Loch Buie coast path nearest the road system at the west end is an easy walking route through bracken-infested grassland with none of the obstacles that those heading east from here will encounter along the way. A change in the geology a short way to the east is caused by a fault, dropping the rough basalt plateau lavas to sea level, whilst here we are above softer Lower Jurassic sedimentary rocks which make for gentler terrain. The sediments form the shore for some way round Carsaig Bay before dipping below the shore just shy of Carsaig Arches and Malcolm's Point seen in the distance.

Andy Waddington

Emerging square

They say that time and tide waits for no man. Well, here, no man was waiting for time and tide - although it was falling it was going to be getting late if we waited until the land emerged much more. As it was, the GPS said I was in the square (but just by a metre or so with my feet overhanging the sea) and that was going to have to be good enough.

Andy Waddington

Passing the waterfall at Carraig MhÃ²r

Heading east from Carsaig along the coastal path to Loch Buie, a fault is crossed and the soft Jurassic sediments are left behind to traverse the Tertiary plateau group lavas on the southern flanks of the Mull Volcanic Centre. The lava flows are much more erosion resistant and have formed a semicontinuous line of cliffs below which a wave-cut notch (raised above sea level by isostatic rebound after the removal of the icesheets) pentrates leaving unercut rocks and free-falling waterfalls in places. This one, at 40m, is one of the higher falls on this part of the coast (there are considerably bigger ones west of Carsaig).

Andy Waddington

Carsaig Bay

Alan Reid

Carsaig Pier

Following in the footsteps of David Balfour, the hero of Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped, as he makes his way back to Edinburgh to confront his wicked uncle. Stage 1, June 2016 from Erraid to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull. See Link