Camas Torsa

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Where we are

COVID-19 has changed lots of things we do. And as we re-open the majority of our facilities and welcome more of you back in Phase 3, we need your help to do it safely. Please check what’s open before you travel; enjoy your visit safely by following NHS and Scottish Government guidance; take your litter home with you; and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

At this location:

The car park is open and normal charges (if any) now apply.

Please bear with us and check back regularly for updates. You can also find more information by visiting our COVID-19 page and our FAQs.

A peaceful picnic site with intriguing Viking history

Camas Torsa reminds us that this area was a Viking stronghold a thousand years ago – its Gaelic name means 'the bay of Thor's river'. Today it's a tranquil place with wonderful views across Loch Sunart to Glencripesdale National Nature Reserve. Watch out for seals, otters and sea eagles fishing in the loch.

Oakwoods once grew all along the Atlantic coast from Norway to Spain and fragments of those ancient forests have survived across Sunart. The woods were once home to a thriving community producing charcoal, bark for leather tanning and timber for building. The Vikings particularly valued the local oaks for building boats.

About 150 years ago, non-native conifers began to be planted here at Camas Torsa, to produce fast-growing timber. Once the current stands of Sitka spruce have been felled, native oaks, birch and rowan will be allowed to regenerate along the loch shore to help re-establish the complex environment of the lost oakwoods.