5 Short Walks on Mull – part three
In this blog, 5 Short Walks on Mull – part three, I am writing about a short walk along the shore below Aros Castle.
Aros Bridge
2 miles north of Salen is Aros Bridge. The old bridge is hidden in trees now behind the phone box near the road bridge and the turning to Dervaig. It should be possible to park your car off the road, leaving the passing place area free, beside the phone box.
Cross the old bridge and go through the gates on the right onto the track towards the Whitehouse of Aros. The track follows the shoreline round a sweeping corner with the ruins of Aros Castle above you. Just beyond the corner is a small gently sloping pebble beach.
I spent many a happy afternoon on this beach as a child when my family rented Aros Mains, the farmhouse behind Aros Castle. So many memories – I even learned to row a boat here, tethered to the land by my mother holding onto a rope tied on the back of the dinghy! We swam here and dabbled around in rock pools, collected shells and generally had a wonderful time. See if you can find some tower shells.
There are a pair of Swans that live along the shore between Salen and Aros Bridge. Watch out for them while you walk.
On the way back you can detour to the old castle of Aros. Up the stony track under the trees. The castle has a great view point on the edge of a cliff, and dates back to the 14th century. You can read more about it on the Mull Historical Society’s website.
Look out for Sea Asters along the marshier bits of shoreline.
To get back to your car you can either return to the track along the shore, or take the tarmac road back to the main road.