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Cape Mabou as seen from the waters off Beinn Alasdair Bhain

Taken 2007 August 12 from the waters off Beinn Alasdair Bhain

This second view is another wide-angled view, this time from the waters off Beinn Alasdair Bhain (Fair Alistair’s Mountain), pronounced Ben Al-iss-dare Vahn [bɛn ˈɑlɪsdɛr ˈvɑn], roughly in the middle of Cape Mabou, looking to the north. Beinn Bhiorach (Steep Mountain), pronounced as Ben Virrich [bɛn ˈvɪɾɪʧ], is the prominence at the centre of the photo, with a long sloping ridge descending to the left to Sight Point. Beyond Sight Point in the far distance, the shore along the Broad Cove Road, from which the previous photo was taken, is clearly visible. At the right in the foreground is the slope which leads to the summit of Beinn Alasdair Bhain, which is not visible here. This was the first time I had seen this entire vista: since the coast bends to the northeast beyond Beinn Alasdair Bhain, there is no place on land from which one can see this gorgeous shore; needless to say, I was beyond thrilled!

The Cape Mabou Trail Club system of trails I mentioned in the introduction criss crosses the area of Cape Mabou seen in this view. Several trails lead from various directions to the summit of Beinn Bhiorach, from which there is a gorgeous panoramic view. MacKinnons Brook Trail, perhaps the most well-known trail in the system, is a very spectacular route that runs along the coastal cliffs from Sight Point to MacKinnons Brook (whose mouth is a bit left of the centre of this photo—and not easy to see in any case from this angle), well above the waters and coastal rocks far below the trail. Other trails are further inland of the coastal view one sees here, crossing the back country and the valleys through which brooks make their way. If you do not yet know this marvellous trail system, you owe it to yourself to discover it and beautiful Cape Mabou!

                   
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