Arisaig
history:For the Canadian village, see Arisaig, Nova Scotia. Arisaig () is a small village in Lochaber, Invernessshire, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. It lies on the Road to the Isles, the A830 which leads to Mallaig to the north and Fort William to the east.
Arisaig is served by Arisaig railway station on the West Highland Line which connects the village to Mallaig and Fort William. It is the most westerly station on the British mainland. Tourism is the main industry in the Arisaig area, due to the spectacular scenery and great beaches.
A small passenger ferry sails from Arisaig to the Small Isles of Eigg, Muck and Rum, though the main CalMac service to the Small Isles operates from Mallaig.
To the east of Arisaig lies Loch nan Uamh, where the Prince's Cairn is located, which marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie, left Scotland for France in 20 September 1746.
The legendary Scottish Gaelic poet Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair died in Arisaig in 1770. He is known to be buried in the village's Roman Catholic cemetery.
Emigrants from this area founded Arisaig, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Arisaig has a Spar shop complete with cafe. It also has a hotel and bar.
Arisaig is in the Scottish council area of Highland.
History
Arisaig House, and many other houses in the area, were used as training schools by the Special Operations Executive during World War IICommando Country, Stuart Allan, National Museums Scotland 2007, ISBN 9781905267149. The Land, Sea and Islands Centre»Land, Sea and Islands Centre in Arisaig has a display on the connection between SOE and the Arisaig area and has published a book on the subjectSpecial Operations Executive: Para-Military Training in Scotland during World War 2, David M Harrison, Land Sea and Islands Centre, Arisaig.
Moorings land-grab controversy
A new landowner and publican, a Mr MacFarlane, applied in 2009 for permission to the Crown Estate and the Scottish Executive to line Glenuig Bay with ten private moorings. Local fishermen and boat owners, who have for time immemorial been able to moor in the bay free of charge, fear he will start extorting fees and charges from them to use the area after he creates his own moorings.
- »Road to the Isles information page on Arisaig
- »Undiscovered Scotland page on Arisaig
- »Arisaig Marine
- »Arisaig Self-catering
- » Panorama of the Sound of Arisaig (QuickTime required)
- »Sunday Mail, September 2009, reporting on moorings grab controversy