Isle of Seil
Scotland's Adventure CoastThe Isle of Seil is located in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, south of the town of Oban on Scotland’s West Coast. The Isle of Seil is one of the famous Slate Islands (along with Luing and Easdale). It was part of a bustling Slate quarrying industry on the Isles. Seil has a population of roughly 580 people. The island comprises 1,329 hectares, with much of it being used as working farmland. Three of the principal employments and industries in the area are agriculture, fisheries and tourism, as is the case in much of Argyll and the Isles.
It is an approximate 30-minute drive from the centre of Oban town through beautiful scenery and connects to the mainland via a small bridge, known as the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’. You cross this single-track bridge to reach the island, and it is the only access point to Seil. Next to the bridge on the Seil side is the famous Tigh an Truish pub.
Bridge over the Atlantic to Seil
Head on a day trip from Oban – or stay a while!Photos by Katy Runacres, Kelpie Media
Good to know!
Plan ahead to make the most of your visit.- Style: A dream for wildlife enthusiasts, walkers and those in need of a quiet island getaway.
- Parking: A free car park is available in Ellenabeich, just a short walk from the public toilets, ferry terminal, and pub. There is limited parking available at the Luing ferry terminal (approximately 8 spaces), but it is intended primarily for pedestrians and cyclists using the Luing ferry.
- Driving on Seil: The roads are winding and narrow, sometimes single-track with passing places.
- Motorhomes on Seil: Motorhomes are welcome on Seil, making it a great location for a touring holiday in Scotland. Please be aware of the narrow bridge ‘over the Atlantic’ and proceed with care. There is an overnight motorhome parking area in Ellenabeich, which is spacious and reasonably priced.
- Toilets: At the ferry terminal at North Cuan (near the Luing Ferry terminal), there is a block of public toilets that are open in usual daylight hours. These are free of charge. Additionally, public toilets are available in the village of Ellenabeich, located near the Easdale ferry crossing. These are open during usual daylight hours and are free of charge.
- Eat & Drink: There is only one store on Seil called Balvicar Stores. It is small but extensive in what it offers! Otherwise, the pub Tigh an Truish and the Oyster Bar, a local pub in Ellenabeich, are great spots for a bite to eat.
- Stay: Limited self-catering accommodation is available; it is recommended to book in advance. It's well worth staying a night or two if you can savour the island and enjoy it fully over a few days. There are also various Bed and Breakfast options on the island, as well as a bed and breakfast at the pub Tigh an Truish.
The Bridge over the Atlantic
The Clachan Bridge, more commonly known as the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’, was built to link Seil to the mainland in the late 18th century. Believed to have been built by the engineer Robert Mylne in the early 1790s to facilitate travel from Seil to the mainland, it is very narrow and features a sizable, steep arch for such a small bridge. This is so that small craft such as boats and similar vessels can still pass underneath with ease. If you visit Seil around Maytime, you will witness the bridge in vivid colours. This is due to the Fairy Foxgloves covering the bridge with beautiful purple and pink colours. This is only a seasonal occurrence and a sight to see.
Cross the bridge & stop at a historic pub!
The Tigh an Truish Pub is well-known for its cuisine – but also has a fascinating story! Tigh an Truish means ‘House of Trousers’ in Gaelic, which makes a lot of sense if you consider the pub's history: After the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and the harsh restrictions that were put in place on highland culture, including a ban on traditional clothing. Many islanders still proudly wore their traditional kilts around the area, but then changed to a different style when heading to the mainland for travel or trade. This pub is believed to be the point where islanders would change into their trousers, ready to cross to the mainland!
Today, the pub is highly acclaimed, having received a 2 AA award for Culinary experience, and is revered in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides as a top spot to dine. They source the best ingredients locally and utilise local producers, as well as create cakes and bread in-house and butcher meat themselves with a highly skilled staff team. So, pop by here to enjoy a meal – trousers are allowed to stay on!
Explore the Island's History
The Isle of Seil is most famously known for being one of the main slate islands in the Inner Hebrides on the West coast of Scotland. It, along with the neighbouring islands of Luing, Easdale and Belnahua, was key to the slate mining business for a long time.
It is thought that the area was mined for its slate on a small scale since the 12th century. However, the main boom of the industry was in the 1700s and 1800s. During this time, this natural resource was highly valued and exported to several countries from this region. The industry closed after several years due to several reasons, including severe flooding of some quarries during storms and a shift in natural resource popularity – the transition from slate to clay for roofing added to this. Today, there is no mining or extraction taking place in the area.
Ellenabeich Heritage Centre
Ellenabeich Heritage Centre is a great little museum located in the heart of the conservation village of Ellenabeich. It offers an insight into the historic slate mining activity in the area, local culture, geology and flora and fauna. It is well worth popping in to support this great, volunteer-run museum after a lovely lunch at the Oyster Bar opposite.
Go Wildlife Watching
Seil is one of the best areas in Argyll & the Isles to try wildlife watching. Otters are a common sight. Similarly, you can often see both Harbour and Common seals in the waters around Seil and neighbouring Luing – they may even pop their heads up in the clear waters of Cuan Sound between the two islands! Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises are common in the area and are often spotted in the early morning or sunset through the Sound of Cuan.
Seil gets Red, Fallow and Roe Deer. These deer can often be quite elusive, but if you are hill walking or walking in the evening near sunset, it is a good time to spot them up the hills or in the fields.
Bird Watching on Seil
You may be lucky to spot Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles flying along the waters between Seil and the neighbouring Isle of Luing. Also, Buzzards, Hen Harriers and Kestrels are often spotted flying above open ground and farmland. Seabirds and Waders such as Oystercatchers, Shags and Cormorants are often spotted in the waters and on the coastline down at Ellenabeich and North Cuan. Be sure to bring your Binoculars for a good chance of seeing these amazing creatures up close!
Two excellent local businesses offer wildlife-watching boat trips in the area. These will be your best chance of spotting wildlife, especially marine life, as the teams have the best local knowledge of the waters and surrounding area. Sealife Adventures is based in Clachan, and Seafari is based in Ellenabeich.
Get Active Outside
Wild Swimming on Seil
There are a few fantastic wild swimming locations around the island of Seil. One of the most popular is Ellenabeich beach. This is located directly opposite the Easdale Primary School. There is a small path nearby that leads down to the beach area. It is a slate beach and relatively sheltered, so it is popular for swimming and paddleboarding. The waters are clear, offering views across the Inner Hebrides to Easdale Island and Luing.
Please ensure you check tide times and seek local advice and knowledge on currents if you plan to wild swim or try water sports in these areas. All is done at one's own risk and responsibility.
Walking on Seil
There are a few options for walks and hikes in the area, and it is worth purchasing a local map before arriving to get the best out of your exploring in this area of Argyll and the Isles. There are varied hill walks around Seil, including sections of the Ardencaple Estate – these offer stunning views out to sea and the island of Mull in the far distance.
A destination point with a variety of walks is the Balluchan Hazelwood, which is a nature reserve on the island managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This has several routes to try and is perfect for visiting during seasonal changes, such as Spring, to enjoy a plethora of Flora.
How to get to the Isle of Seil
Planning Your VisitFrom Oban by Car
Follow the A816 south of Oban, then turn onto a minor road heading west, signposted as the ‘Atlantic Bridge’. Cross over this iconic bridge to the Isle of Seil.
From Oban by Public Transport
Board the West Coast Motors 418 bus from Oban (Station Road) to Clachan Seil, just after the bridge. The journey takes about 49–59 minutes and runs every three hours.
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