Crossing Loch Sunart to Glencripesdale
Photograph courtesy of Arthur Bickerstaffe who holidayed in the Ardnamurchan area in the 1960's.
John McLeod, at the helm of the Gannet, was the Head Forester (based in Salen)in charge of Sunart Forest which also covered Glencripesdale which was just across on the other side of the sea loch or 56 miles round trip by road some of which was in a very rough condition. With John in the picture is Alan Cameron (Big Alan or Alan Mor - Gaelic speakers)from Duneira, Kentra. The third person is unidentified.
The Gannet was a Forestry Commission motor launch used to ferry men and materials across Loch Sunart from Salen in to Glencripesdale.
Groups: Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Sunart Ardgour and Morven
Group: Forestry Areas - 3222 pictures
3 Comments
The Gannet used to drop the mail at Camus Salach on its way to Glencripesdale and I was sent down to collect it from the shore. Any photos of the old house at glencripesdale?
Comment left on 16 June 2011 at 19:50 by Richard Wilson
I do remember families holidaying at the two houses at Camas Salach when I was on my supervision journeys into Glencripesdale around the years from 1973 to 79. I underestood that one or both houses were the holiday houses of Doctor or Professor Wilson but have forgotten from which location in Scotland. There were certainly young children there at that time aged somewhere between 5 and 10 years. I remember there was a beautiful scented yellow rose growing against the wooden walls of the upper house. You would remember Tommy and Eidie Stevenson who lived in the big house for a great many years. Tommy worked for the the Forestry Commission initially as a trapper and latterly as Forest Craftsman and used his little boat to cross over to Camas Innes to collect provisions and mail. There was no telephone there in those days (mobile phones not even imagined) and the agreed method of calling for help was to light a fire on the shore so that it could be spotted by the householders across the loch!
Comment left on 18 June 2011 at 16:41 by Norman Davidson
I stayed at the Wilsons with Richard Wilson, a doctor like his father and famous mother (family planning). The house was a cricket pavillion moved from some cricket ground and erected in Camus Salach. We heard and saw wild cats at night in the open ground outside the house. We attempted a trip to the pub at Salen in canoes but bottled it half way across in the still night! We were all about 18 and not accompanied by adults. Lighting in the house was pifco battery lights. Not in touch with Richard any more. We did go up Glencrippesdale and a friend found many sea trout in a small pool and speargunned a few and sold them to the hotel at Strontian. Not very good I know. We did meet the keeper (I think that is what he did) in the only house there was near by. He was much respected by Richard for his wildlife knowledge. An exciting little trip that was!
Comment left on 09 August 2023 at 11:27 by Mr Jo Salter
Form Goes Here