Home » Prince’s Cairn, Loch Nan Uamh

This spot is said to be the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland.

This advanced snorkel site involves a slight scramble through trees and bushes to the shore. Here, the rocky kelp grounds are home to many species of fish and shellfish, and seals watch from the nearby island.

Trail leaflet

Download the trail leaflet for offline access to site information

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Facilities

Large lay-by offers parking

Gallery

What other people say

How to get there

By road

Follow the A830 towards Arisaig and you’ll find the Princes Cairn between Arisaig and Lochailort. Parking is in a shoreside layby just to the west of the site on the main road to Mallaig.

By rail

The nearest train station is Beasdale (1.5 miles away) or Lochailort (3.8 miles).

By bus

Bus services are provided locally by Shiel Buses (Busaichean Seile).

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Driving

Public
transport

Walking

Cycling

Provided by Google Maps

Local conditions

Here is the wind forecast and tide times for this snorkel site. It is your responsibility to assess whether these conditions are suitable for snorkelling.

Other considerations

More information

  • This advanced site involves a slight scramble through trees and bushes to the shore.
  • Interested in learning more about a career in marine tourism? Visit the University of Highlands and Islands campus in Fort William for Open Days and more; we co-created this snorkel trail together and students from the School of Adventure Studies enjoy using this snorkel trail to develop their skills.
  • When planning your visit, reach out to MACCOLL (Marine and Coastal Conservation of Loch Linnhe); a community-led charity dedicated to preserving the marine and coastal environment of Loch Linnhe. Through conservation, education, and engagement, they strive to create a sustainable future for local communities and you can join in making a difference!”

Wildlife warning

Please be a responsible snorkeller; do not touch, take or tease wildlife.

This area is home to internationally important colonies of breeding seabirds (April-September) and seals (harbour seals June-July, grey seals August-December). Please behave responsibly and stay distant, wildlife should be left undisturbed. For more information see sealalliance.org and nature.scot. Avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds and livestock; follow the Outdoor Access and Marine Wildlife Watching codes.

Stay safe

Snorkelling can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is your responsibility to check the conditions present on the day and assess whether it is safe to snorkel.

Please read our top tips to being a safe and responsible snorkeller.

Look out for the following species on your snorkel...

Fish
Small-spotted catshark
Ballan wrasse
Sand eels
Pollack
Crustaceans
Shore Crab
Velvet Swimming Crab
Hermit crab
Brown crab
Molluscs
Painted topshell
Dog whelk
Flat periwinkle
Common limpet
Starfish and urchins
Common starfish
Common Brittlestar
Sunstar
Common urchin
Jellyfish
Lion’s mane jellyfish
Moon jellyfish
Barrel jellyfish
Stalked jellyfish
Marine plants
Cuvie kelp
Maerl
Seagrass
Bladder wrack
Other invertebrates
Snakelocks anemone
Beadlet anemone
Breadcrumb sponge
Common cuttlefish

Species records

Visit the NBN Atlas to see all species records from this site

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Top tips

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Snorkelling can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk.

Information is provided free of charge; it is your responsibility to check the conditions present on the day and assess whether it is safe to snorkel.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.

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