Tarskavaig between Coast, Moorland and Crofting History

Tarskavaig combines coastal scenery, moorland and an unusually vivid crofting history. There are also paths with views of the Small Isles, geological features in the cliffs and the Tarskavaig–Ord Loop Road, an unclassified road with views of the Cuillins. If you are looking for a holiday flat or holiday cottage in Tarskavaig, you can choose Tarskavaig according to whether hiking, nature watching, local history or a scenic drive should be the focus of your trip.

Experience the coast, moorland and geology

The Bàgh Tharsgabhaig SSSI covers a stretch of coastline and an area of moorland. The Tarskavaig Thrust is exposed in the coastal cliffs of this area. The protected geological area of Bàgh Tharsgabhaig covers 516.9 hectares; there, the Tarskavaig Thrust separates the Tarskavaig and Kishorn nappes. The geological deposits are dated to an episode of mountain building around 430 million years ago. For visitors who want to consider the landscape not only as a backdrop but also in terms of how it was formed, this is a particularly distinctive feature of the place.

At Tarskavaig Point, a moorland walking trail runs along the cliffs. The path passes the now-ruined Tarskavaig Church and offers views of the Small Isles of Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck, as well as the Cuillin Hills to the north. This combination of open terrain, coastal views and historical traces can easily be included in your itinerary as a dedicated day of walking. You should plan the individual viewpoints and the route according to current local conditions.

Walks with different focuses

Another option is the walk through Coille Dalavil. It begins on the road between Kilbeg and Tarskavaig. The route to Coille Dalavil covers 7¾ miles there and back, passes through native woodland and offers views across a loch. You also reach the ruins of the Blackhouses at Dalavil. The walk can be extended along the coast to Tarskavaig. This gives you two clearly distinct experiences to choose from: the open moorland path at Tarskavaig Point with its island and mountain views, or a further route through woodland, landscape and traces of historic settlement.

Wildlife watching can also be combined with a drive. The Tarskavaig–Ord Loop Road is an unclassified road and offers views of the Cuillins. Along this road, there are opportunities to spot golden eagles, hen harriers or merlins from the car. The single-track road to Tarskavaig has no street lighting; this specific circumstance should be taken into account when planning your arrival and days out, especially if you are combining excursions with walks or longer periods outdoors.

Crofting history and local life

Tarskavaig is a crofting settlement dating from the post-medieval period between 1560 and 1900. Records for 1882 list 61 roofed, two partly roofed and six unroofed buildings. When the crofting economy was introduced on Lord Macdonald's lands in 1811, 31 small crofts were established in Tarskavaig.

The local history also includes the old Free Church on the shore at the southern end of Tarskavaig and its surviving rectangular form, now roofless, with an attached building wing. Tarskavaig Communities Hall hosts small concerts and events. Tea, coffee and homemade baking are occasionally served there in July and August. A GeoGuide excursion called Sìthean Mòr covers mylonites and sedimentary structures in psammites of the late Proterozoic Moine Supergroup. Tarskavaig is also connected with Alexander Robertson senior through the family history of the yacht-building company Alexander Robertson & Sons in Sandbank, Argyll.

Choose Tarskavaig as your base

When looking for accommodation, you may wish to consider Tarskavaig particularly if you want to combine coastal paths, crofting history and a geological landscape. If, on the other hand, you want to focus on a longer woodland walk or on driving along the Tarskavaig–Ord Loop Road, you should take your preferred daily itinerary into account when choosing a location. For more travel ideas, you can also compare Dores, Brora, Fearn, Knockbain, Greshornish, Garve, Ballachulish and Grantown On Spey.

For the wider travel overview: Highland.