A Land that Time Forgot

Did you know that the Ardnamurchan peninsula is home to an ancient volcano?

While it’s unassuming from the ground, look a little closer and every twist and turn through the landscape from Kilchoan to Sanna Bay bears the traces of its volcanic past.

The now long extinct volcano formed around 60 million years ago, around the same time as the extinct volcanoes on the Isles of Arran, Mull, Skye and Rùm. It has been debated what the remaining geological structure in the north western corner of Ardnamurchan represents – in the past referred to as a caldera or a ring dyke. However, it seems to be accepted now as an exposed lopolith – a saucer-shaped, underground rock chamber formed from magmatic activity.

It is incredible to think looking at aerial photos that this expanse is the remains of just one chamber – imagine what the entire volcano would have looked like! It is remarkable to think that an area of such stunning natural beauty had, for millions of years, such a tumultuous history. The ‘spirit’ of the Highlands and Islands is truly rooted in areas like Ardnamurchan. Time may have forgotten, but our landscape remembers.

Ardnamurchan is best explored on foot with walks for all abilities.
Image provided by Northport

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