MINGARY CASTLE SWIM

MINGARY CASTLE SWIM

For many years i have been visiting a wonderfully serene place called Kilchoan. Set on the furthest point west of Scotland nestled amongst some of the clearest waters and whitest beaches. The peninsular houses a dormant volcano, lochs and more wild life than is possible to see in one go, from deer to eagles, otters to orcas all available to the patient observer. 

Mingary castle originates from the 13th century and has rang in the changes as times and history dictates and yet remains standing amongst the stunning backdrop of opulent green and brown fauna and flora which forms the surrounding landscape. The castle is home to a rich and diverse history of battle and dispute as well as control made possible by its prominent position on the peninsular of Adnamurchan. Over the last few years the castle has been undertaking a dramatic change under the watchful eye of Donald Houston of Adnamurchan estate. More information on the history of the castle can be found here - http://kilchoan.blogspot.co.uk/p/mingary-castle.html. The blog also tells you more of the happenings in the area and of the lives of its wonderful inhabitants. 

Last year i was extremely lucky to have a private viewing of the inside of the castle as both archaeology and restoration took place. To state that its remarkable is an understatement, stepping past the then water filled moat through the thick stone walls even to the lay person the sheer workmanship of years gone by is breath taking. Ask the modern builder to emulate such workmanship and i doubt such a building would still be standing in 300 years time. 

This trip up and i was determined to finally swim next to the castle....who knows i might even find hidden treasures!!!! Well a girl can hope, given that cannon balls have been found embedded into the external walls of the castle who exciting would it have been to find one in the water...or other oddities as discarded over the walls during battle. Heading towards the castle with my good friend Alison, we were looking forward to all that lay ahead....after all what could possibly go wrong!!!

Gaining access to the waters edge by a guillotine gate, and gently walking down the grassy slope it was hard not to wonder who had walked the same path over the centuries. The water although beautiful looked a little bouncy, not that that would deter me...a woman on a mission...to swim where battles have been fought, won and lost. Finding our access point into the water seemed easy  as we came across what can only be described as steps cut out of the rock face. 

Steps which as we discovered continued under the water some considerable way. For us it was like stepping into our our outdoor private pool. Sat on the last dry 'step' we donned snorkel mask and fins' and stood up to survey our swim spot, simply breathtaking does not do it justice nor can works embrace the craggy mollusc ridden rock face that threatened both skin and wetsuit if we got our entry or exit wrong!

Starting our decent into the cool depths of the water we spied the dreaded lions mane jelly fish - the rumours of the sheer size of them had clearly not been exaggerated, this one the size of a dustbin lid. We deduced that the flow of the current would keep its dreaded mane with its vile sting away from us...but taking no precautions we entered and vowed to steer clear of it. 

As stated the 'steps' appeared to travel quite away down into the water....with fins on these were almost impossible but we would have a go once we had finished our swim. The water was remarkably choppy for a bay which appeared to all intents and purposes to be sheltered. But that said we were in and that is all that mattered to us. Now to treasure hunt!

Ok no treasure found other than discovering the geology of the land beneath the castle itself which was pretty spectacular, from giant boulders to rocks which appeared to be carved and may have possibly fallen into that water as the castle fell to the perils of sea, weather and battle. 

The water teemed with blue fish and orange fish, who were undisturbed by either our presence or that of the large mackerel who swam around the kelp this gently swayed in the current. 

The water full of fish (although no seals decided to join us) and the rocks were a mass of all different wildlife, glinting and showing their colours as the sun hit them through the water. 

Having snorkelled all round the bay, been bounced against the rocks, played with kelp and fish it was time to get out...what a special swim, the treasure is the water itself and all that it holds, clearly any pearls from history where hiding that day and had we found any we would have simply grinned, took pictures and given ourselves and internal hug....loved every bit of it!!!

Did we swim there again....yes next bay along...more treasure hunting!!!!