Agents of Arisaig

Imagine being the owners of Arisaig Estate in Lochaber, west of Fort William, in 1939. The beautiful Arisaig House had burnt to the ground four years earlier. Since then you’d gone to great trouble and expense to build a new, and very grand replacement. Then, just as you’re about to move in, the army comes along and tells you they’ll be needing it for the next few years.

During the Second World War, Arisaig House became a finishing school for SOE agents, including Violette Szabo. It was conveniently remote for the task, with only one access road which made it easy to seal off. Once there, agents learnt armed and unarmed combat, were given parachute training, and taught demolition techniques and Morse code.

In recent years, time spent at Arisaig House has been a little less intense, as it became a luxury hotel (recently closed and sold), taking advantage of a wonderful location close to the Caribbean-esque white-sand beaches such as Camusdarach.

WALK HERE: Download a route for Arisaig & Camusdarach at walk1000miles.co.uk/ bonusroutes