Kilchoan (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Chòmhain)[1] is a village on the Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan, beside the Sound of Mull in Lochaber, Highland. It is the most westerly village in mainland Britain,[2] although several tiny hamlets lie further west on the peninsula (of these, the most westerly is called Portuairk). The western linear, coastal parts of the village are Ormsaigmore and Ormsaigbeg.
M.E.M. Donaldson equates "Buarblaig" (now Bourblaige about three miles (five kilometres) east of Kilchoan on the other side of the eastern mountain of Ben Hiant at 528 metres (1,732 feet), grid referenceNM546623[4]) with Muribulg, where the Annals of Tigernach record a battle between the Picts and Dalriads in 731 AD.[5]
It may also be the 'Muirbole Paradisi' mentioned by Adomnán.[4]
Below the slope north-west of the village street is a chambered cairn, Greadal Fhinn.[4]
Ben Hiant is the highest point of the peninsula at 528 m and lies between the village and the coastal hamlet of Ardslignish.
Tourism and amenities
Transport
A regular CalMac ferry service runs from Kilchoan to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. To and from the regional centre of Fort William, one bus per day Monday to Saturday connects with the ferry via Salen and the Corran Ferry[n 1]
The minerals kilchoanite, dellaite and rustumite were first found at Kilchoan. A natural history museum is adjacent to the hamlet to the east at the coastal hamlet of Glenmore.[9]