Loch a' Chumhainn, Isle of Mull

Loch a' Chumhainn is a small sea loch in a rugged coastline in the northwest of Mull. It is a quiet and beautiful location with some amazing views particularly from Croig beach.

The loch is 2 1/4 miles long with the village of Dervaig lying at its head. It's shores are jagged and full of tiny coves and bays with white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife.

The tiny settlement of Croig is located near the mouth of the loch and can be accessed by a single track road from the main Tobermory to Calgary route. At Croig you will find an old stone pier loaded with creels and other fishing paraphernalia and one or two houses overlooking the water. The shoresides here are rocky and flat, rising on the opposite bank to form a low lying headland. A beautiful old fishing boat lays abandoned and decaying just inland from the pier; no longer a safe platform for fishing she is however still beautiful in my eyes and a great bonus for a photographer!

Derelict boat on the shores of Loch a'Chumhainn

Being a sea loch the water retreats at low tide to reveal a blanket of seaweed along its shores; a perfect feeding ground for wading birds. Curlews and oyster catches roamed the tideline filling the quiet winter air with their shrill cries.

At the head of the tiny inlet upon which Croig sits is a five bar gate and a path which leads around the loch to Croig beach on the far side. If you climb the low headland here the views along the coast and Loch a Chumhainn are amazing.

View from the headland across Croig beach

The islands just offshore are a favourite haunt for seals and as we stood watching we could see several hauled out on the rocks making the most of the weak winter sunshine.

It is possible to walk all around the headlands here discovering tiny coves and clean white stretches of sand. It is the perfect combination of peace and natural charm.

One of the tiny bays looking back towards Loch a'Chamhainn

This area is a wildlife haven and is home to otters and many seashore birds including Red breasted Mergansers, Goosanders, curlew, oyster catchers and snipe.

Dervaig at the head of the loch is a much larger village with a wonderful outlook over the water. This village dates back to the Vikings; and Dervaig itself means "good inlet" in old Norse. The most prominent feature is Kilmore church which looks out over the loch shores. Despite appearances this white building is not that old having been built in 1905, but it is unusual with its pencil tower and well worth a visit.

Loch a'Chumhainn facts

OS sheet 1:50 000 sheet 47
Loch a'Chumhainn is 2 1/4 miles long and is very narrow in places.