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Arisaig is a Port Village 35 miles northwest
of Fort
William, 18 miles northwest of Glenfinnan, 8
miles south of Mallaig via the A830
road.
The Village is popular for its Land Sea and
Islands Museum, Restaurant, Hotel, Marine Cafe,
Sea Kayaking, Boat Trips, Walking Trails, and
the Silver Sands of Morar Beach is 5 miles
north.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area
Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is of the road down into
Arisaig from the south side. There is another
road down from the north side.
The Land Sea and
Island Centre is at the south side of the
Main Street, giving information on the Village
history with many images, films, books and
more.
The Village centre is about 200 yards from
the Land Sea and Island Centre with a
Restaurant and Shops.
Arisaig Sea Kayaking
offers trips from the Bay at the Village centre
for beginners and experienced Kayakers.
At the Village centre is the Czechoslovakian
Special Operations Executive Training Memorial.
This Memorial was erected in 2009 in honour of
Czech and Slovak soldiers that trained here
from 1941 to 1943 in Resistance, to operate
behind Enemy Lines during World War Two.
The Arisaig Hotel
is 100 yards north of the Village centre with a
Restaurant.
Arisaig Marine
Teahouse is across the road from the
Arisaig Hotel at the Marina, also with a Gift
Shop and great views over the Bay.
Arisaig Marine
operate a Ferry Service from April to October
to the Islands of Eigg, Muck and
Rum.
Arisaig Marine also
offer a range of Boat Trips and Charters for
Wildlife, Hidden Beaches, Snorkeling, Paddle
Boarding and more.
Walking Trails
- there are a number in the area from Coastal
to Mountains.
The Silver Sands of Morar Beach is 5 miles
north, next to the main road up to Mallaig.
Loch Morar is close to the Beach, also worth
a visit, deepest Loch in Scotland, also where
you can find the grave of David Sterling,
founder of the SAS, at Morar Village Church.
Large Images of
the Beach and Loch.
Arisaig History
700s - the Arisaig area was taken over by
Vikings at a time they had also taken control
of most Western Isles.
1000s - King Malcolm II of Scotland gained
control of the Arisaig area through an
agreement with the Vikings.
1100s - the Vikings took back control of the
Arisaig Area with their descendants such as
Clan MacDonald, Lords of the Isles, holding the
area for some time.
1400s - Scottish Kings began installing
Clans loyal to the King to keep the area and
Islands under control.
1720 - the earliest parts of the Arisaig
Hotel was built as a Coaching Inn.
The Village of Arisaig no doubt evolving at
that time through farm workers and fishing.
1746 - there was a Naval Battle off Arisaig
between British and French ships, as the French
were landing Gold to help fund the Jacobite
war. The Gold was taken inland to Loch Arkaig
to be hidden, where it is said to remain to
this day, with many people still looking for
it. The French ships escaped the Battle.
Soon after the failed last Jacobite Rising
of 1746, with the last Battle at Culloden by Inverness in April, many
of the people from the Arisaig area emigrated
to Canada, where they founded Arisaig in Nova
Scotia in 1785.
1746 September - Prince Charlie departed
Scotland for the last time from a spot 5 miles
southeast of Arisaig, now marked by the
Princes Cairn,
next to the main road with a layby for parking
at Loch nan Uamh, easy to miss, as I have done
4 times.
1820s - Ranald George Macdonald ran into
financial difficulties, leading to him selling
Arisaig.
Lord Cranstoun took over the area, claimed
to be extremely cruel, leading to one of the
largest Clearances of people in the Highlands
to make way for large scale sheep farming and
deer hunting for the rich.
1863 - Arisaig House was built for Francis
Dukinfield Palmer Astley 2 miles southeast of
Arisaig village.
1901 - the Fort William to Mallaig Railway
was completed with the vast Glenfinnan Viaduct,
also with a Station at Arisaig. This line was
built as Malaig had become a top Sea Fishing
village.
1935 - Arisaig House was severely damaged by
Fire, rebuilt soon after.
1940s - Arisaig House
was used for Special Operations Training during
World War Two, mainly to train Europeans to
work in Resistance against German forces
throughout Europe.
2009 - a memorial to Czechoslovak soldiers
that trained as Special Operation Executives
from 1943 to 1945 was erected in Arisaig.
2021 - Arisaig House was put up for sale for
over £2 million.
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