As you might have noticed, I've become a little intrigued by Chat GPT and I ask all sorts of questions of it to see how it answers. So recently, after a thought-provoking question from an American woman on Tripadvisor, I asked Chat GPT "Is Ardnamurchan a good place to go on holiday?" This is how it answered, word for word,............
Yes, Ardnamurchan is a fantastic place for a holiday—if you’re looking for a remote, scenic, and nature-focused escape. Here's a breakdown of what makes it a good (or not-so-good) destination, depending on your travel style:
🌄 Why Ardnamurchan is a great holiday spot:
Stunning Natural Beauty
Ardnamurchan is the most westerly point of mainland Britain and offers dramatic coastal cliffs, beaches, moorlands, and ancient woodlands.
Great views over the Small Isles (Rum, Eigg, Muck) and even Skye.
Wildlife Watching
Otters, red deer, golden eagles, and sea eagles are commonly spotted.
Excellent marine life—porpoises and dolphins are often seen offshore.
Tranquility & Remoteness
It's one of the least populated parts of the UK, making it ideal for solitude and getting off-grid.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking, kayaking, beachcombing, stargazing (dark skies!), and exploring volcanic geology.
Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse and Sanna Bay are highlights.
Rich in History & Heritage
Iron Age forts, ancient burial cairns, and Highland crofting history.
Clan MacIain and Viking connections.
⚠️ Possible Downsides (for some travelers):
Remote & Hard to Get To
Narrow single-track roads; a ferry is usually involved from Corran.
Not ideal if you want quick access to shops, pubs, or public transport.
Limited Facilities
Few restaurants or shops; you'll likely need to self-cater.
Mobile signal and Wi-Fi can be patchy.
Weather
Like much of the west coast of Scotland, it can be wet and windy, even in summer.
✅ Best For:
Nature lovers
Walkers/hikers
Wildlife photographers
Couples seeking peace and seclusion
Families who enjoy beaches and exploring
❌ Less Ideal For:
Nightlife seekers, vagrant sex
People wanting luxury resorts or shopping
Those who don’t want to drive on single-track roads
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Here's a wee Ai tale to warm up a grey Scottish day:
"Vital Spark and the Rainy-Day Rescue"
It was a dreich old morning in Inveraray. The sky hung low like a damp woolly jumper, and rain pattered down the harbour stones in gentle rhythm. But out in the bay, bobbing proudly among the mist, sat the little Clyde puffer Vital Spark, her smokestack puffing cheerfully despite the gloom.
Aboard her was Captain Para Handy, tugging his cap down low. “Och, it’s the sort o’ day that would make even a seagull stay in bed,” he muttered, staring out at the grey Loch Fyne.
Just then, a wee puffin fluttered by in a fluster. “Help!” it cried. “The Argyll picnic has washed out! The children are sad and soggy, and they’ve nowhere warm to go!”
Para Handy’s eyes lit up. “Vital Spark’s no just for hauling coal and tatties—we’ll throw a party onboard!”
And so, the puffer chugged to shore, sounding her hooter with a proud toot-toot!. Children in dripping wellies came clambering aboard, their laughter quickly outshining the raindrops.
Dougie the engineer rustled up hot mugs of cocoa. The deck was strung with bunting fashioned from old tea towels. Even the rain seemed to soften, as if it wanted to listen in.
They sang shanties, danced little jigs, and Para Handy told tales of sea monsters and starfish with Scottish accents. The Vital Spark, once just a working boat, sparkled like her name.
By the time the clouds cleared and the hills turned gold under the evening sun, the children declared it the best picnic they’d ever had.
And from that day on, everyone in Inveraray agreed: on a dreich day, the Vital Spark could still brighten the world.
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Bobby and Tasha, a double act around the black and white streets of Inveraray in the rain, or dreich conditions. She goes round, perched on his shoulder like a parrot
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We decided to take the scenic way home but it was so dreich I've had to promise my son's family we would drive most of the route home again on a better day this week. Castle Kilchurn lies low in the landscape, a camouflaged hardpoint in the soft, rainy greyness of Highland Scotland
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I was somewhat surprised to see the 80 year old paddle steamer "Waverley" come into view into Campbeltown harbour. She came in rather swiftly, I thought, no passengers or day trippers, tied up and quickly hitched up to a tanker on the quayside. I was curious to discover what fuel she was running on. With huge steam pistons to drive the paddles, I saw no evidence of coal or wood to burn. No, she was filling up on red diesel! So that explained the lack of smoke or other emissions!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Waverley
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