Castle Tioram and Loch Moidart

To explore the castle, it is best to enter by a narrow passage in the north wall that leads to the keep in the south-west corner. There is a three storeyed hall in the east corner and the kitchen is in the south-east corner. Here there remains an old oven and a well - the latter reputedly bottomless, but now choked. Remnants of spiral staircases climb to the parapets.

After exploring the interior of the castle, a walk around the outside gives an idea of the impregnability. Behind it a steep little path leads down to a small bay on the west shore of the island from where the castle looks very impressive indeed.

Loch Moidart is a lovely sea loch, studded with sandy bays and tree clad islands. A 19th century path known as the Silver Walk (after a cache of old silver coins that were found during the construction) follows the loch's rocky shoreline north of the castle. The path has been paved with rock steps in places, but has deteriorated over the years and is now an adventurous and often boggy walk, requiring good balance while wearing good footwear.

In early summer this is the spot for lovely displays of rhododendrons and woodland scenery. There are close up views of the loch and the two beautifully wooded islands of Riska and Eilean an Fheidh. These islands enclose a sheltered stretch of water where boats anchor and it is even possible to see seals seeking shelter from the open sea.

From the shores of Loch Moidart a path climbs 500 feet (150 metres) on to the moor to link the Silver Walk with the roadside near Castle Tioram. The path is overgrown and boggy in parts, but it passes through an eerie, abandoned village from where there are superb views from the path over Loch Moidart. A little further on are views to two lovely moorland lochans and after turning from walking southwards to westwards you can gaze out to sea taking in the distant islands of Eigg and Muck.