Loch na h-Àirde

Loch na h-Àirde lies just inland of the little bay we anchored in. It has been used for centuries as a harbour and boatyard. At high water, it may be still possible to row in, but the channel is blocked by rocks and I'm not sure how deep it would be over the rocks even at springs.

Archeologists have found that part of the stream is canalised with stone walls and there are mechanisms for keeping the water in the loch, making a wet dock. It is generally reckoned that these date from around 1000 CE but continued in use for a long time.

When Alison dropped me off I clambered over the rocks to the stream and got across near the outlet and explored.

It takes a good eye to spot anything man-made. But it's easy to spot good places to use as quays and dry-docks and 'nousts' winter storage haul-out places.