Appin
Scotland > West of Scotland > Argyll > Appin
Very historic and beautiful part of Scotland between Oban and Fort William on the west coast of Argyll. Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped" is based on the Murder of the Red Fox, Colin Campbell of Glenure in the forest to the north of Appin, just south of Ballachulish in 1752, 7 years after the '45 Jacobite Rising. James Stewart of Appin was eventually hanged in Ballachulish for the murder - which he did not commit. His body was hung for months on a hill which lies at the south end of the present day Ballachulish Bridge. He is buried in the old Keil Churchyard which overlooks Eilean Balnagowan in Cuil Bay - a sublime situation for the resting place of such a brave man.
Appin is an area rather than a town or village and there are many farms between the sea (Loch Linnhe) and the mountians of Appin and Glencoe to the east - Ben Vair, just south of Ballachulish probably being the most prominent.
6 miles south of James of the Glen's final resting place stands Castle Stalker, prominent in the bay off Portnacroish; the castle is a private dwelling and tours and viewings are only occasionally permitted - the view of the castle lying in this bay is one of the most unforgettable in Scotland. Because of the public interest in this view, a new car park has been developed on the A828 just north of Portnacroish, over the past few years.
Kinlochlaich Gardens lie just 1 mile south of Portnacroish -a must for visitors and then, at the garage, you can turn right down to Port Appin with its ferry to Lismore, restaurant on the forefront and the famous Aird's Hotel.
yesscotland.com says:
There is enough to keep you interested in Appin for at least 3 days and if you are staying at the Aird's, probably a much longer stay is required! Appin is one of the most historic parts of Scotland, associated as it is with the Stuart's of Appin and the Scottish and eventually British thrones. Being Stewarts (or Stuarts), this was Jacobite country and were not in favour with the strongly Hanovarian supporting Campbells of Argyll. This antipathy led, eventually, to the Appin Murder 7 years after the end of Bonnie Prince Charlie's attempt in 1745/46 to regain the throne of the UK for his father who would have been James III and VIII.
Whilst in Appin, try the Aird's - one of the best hotels and best cuisine in Scotland - the wee pub/restaurant at the pierhead and visit Kinlochlaich Gardens. To miss out Lismore would be a mistake as the ecology of this island is completely different to anything on the Highland mainland. It is based on lime and so the soil tends to be alkaline rather than the acidic soil of the mainland. This gives rise to a completely different botany with plants and shrubs otherwise very rarely seen in the peaty soils of the Highlands. For more information, have a chat with the lads at Kinlochlaich! 
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