Ballachulish

Flower Delivery Ballachulish by Clare Florist

In Western Scotland lies a town that is rich in history and culture, with some surprises in between. For instance, the primary industry of Ballachulish is tourism, but visitors usually just pass by rather than stay for two nights or more. It’s not that the place is without local attractions that lure tourists. With a verdant countryside, alive with flowers in Ballachulish and other natural sites, it’s definitely a must visit.

Moreover, it has a colourful history that makes for good stories that any tourist can bring back home as a souvenir.

Ballachulish is a small town that consists of three parts. There’s North Ballachulish that is located to the north of Loch Leven, the second part in the southern side is divided by Loch Leven and the third part lies two miles away, leading to the direction of Glencoe.  

It’s name in Gaelic translates to “the Village by the Narrows”, which is in reference to Peter or Patrick’s son’s arrow that is at the mouth of the west coast sea loch in Scotland, Loch Leven.

Between 1700s and 1912, people of the North and South Ballachulish would use a ferry to access either towns. This all changed when cars became popular and a vehicle ferry replaced the older means of transportation. The problem with this, however, is that drivers would be stuck in a long queue, just waiting for their turn to get across. They do have another option, which is to drive 15 miles more to Kinlochleven. But something good came out of the problem, as hotels were built on the southern side so that people can have a place to stay warm and comfortable in. Refreshments are usually offered to waiting passengers.  

The vehicle ferry was in service until 1975 when a steel truss bridge was built. This provided easy access for the residents and made it more convenient to do business. If there was ever a need to send flowers to Ballachulish, the bridge offered a faster route.

During the 1500s, the first slate was quarried in what is now North Ballachulish, previously called Laroch. This explains why the northern side is more industrialised than its counterpart. Slate quarrying went on until 1955, which was carried out by the Ballachulish Slate Company.

Located near the narrows of the Ballachulish Ferry is a country house hotel aptly named the Ballachulish Hotel and Ballachulish House. It is believed to be haunted, and that the path leading to it is used by a headless horseman. Horror stories aside though, the country house hotel still provides guests a place to stay and a breathtaking view of a scenery that features beautiful Bullachulish flowers, wide expanse of green and lochs everywhere.

A glen that runs through the narrows, Gleann a' Chaolais, is the subject of a Gaelic song that was written by John Cameron, a British composer, arranger, musician and conductor. Today, the surrounding fields of the glen have been turned into a 9-hole golf course.

There is a monument built in honour of James of the Glen, who is said to have been wrongfully accused and connected to the Appin Murder, and was subsequently hanged on the same spot where his memorial stands. His story was the basis for the novel Kidnapped that was written by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Local Highland games are just as popular now as it was before, and are still being played under favourable auspices. The competitions, however, is exclusive only to the locals, specifically participants from Ballachulish, Ardour, Duror, Glencoe and Onich. Amazingly, every competitor from each district excels at something. For instance, Ballachulish men excel in hammer throwing and stone putting, while men in Glencoe are better at leaping and racing. When it comes to pole vaulting, men from Lochaber usually take the top spot.

It is during the Highland games when fun, excitement and celebration spread far and wide. With an arena provided by nature, filled with flowers in Ballachulish, everyone, athletes and spectators alike, is sure to develop a fondness for the outdoor sports.

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