Other Islands and the Correvreckan
Whirlpool...
Without doubt one of the least known natural wonders in the UK must be the Correvreckan Whirlpool.
It is the third largest whirlpool in the world, and is located in the tide race between the islands of Scarba and
Jura, just a couple of miles from Shuna. At various times of each lunar cycle the sea erupts into huge vertical
waves, up to twenty feet high. In addition to this there are the Grey Dogs, another narrow channel
with strange tidal eddies and small whirlpools. Although these areas are strictly inaccessible to the Shuna boats,
we are fortunate to have Farsain Cruises operating from nearby Craobh Haven. The skipper, Duncan
Phillips, will collect you from Shuna and take you on a round trip visiting these amazing natural wonders, along
with tours of the wildlife rich islands further out. His cruises usually last 3 hours, and are a very enjoyable
afternoon out - very popular with many visitors to the island.
In the summer, with regular ferries and lots of daylight, trips to Mull, Iona and the other
islands are easily possible - all these ferries run from Oban. On Mull you can see the now famous setting for
"Balamory" , along with taking trips with the very well known Whale & Dolphin Trust to see
large sea mammals in the Firth of Lorn. You can also visit the ancient Christian community on Iona from Mull, with
its ancient Abbey founded by St Columba.
Shopping
There is a small gift and coffee shop at nearby Craobh Haven, which you can easily visit in your boat, which is
well worth a visit. Also at Craobh is a pub/restaurant, with another excellent restaurant nearby at the Loch
Melfort Hotel. In Oban, approximately twenty miles to the North, there are all the usual stores you would expect in
a large town - Tesco, WH Smith, Boots, Argos and a host of independent shops selling everything from
outdoor clothing to hardware to cameras to gifts and everything in between. Please note that Oban is the
nearest place to Shuna for provisions.
Other Attractions
Nearby at Arduaine there are the famous gardens, internationally renowned for their dazzling displays of
Rhododendrons. Just a fifteen minute drive southward and you are in the Kilmartin Glen, scene of so much of
Scotland's troubled history, and now equipped with an excellent museum and visitor facilities - there are standing
stones, Pictish Fort and echoes of ancient times all around. In the opposite direction towards Oban there is the
historic village and island of Easdale with a very good museum.
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