At last, a much-anticipated first trip of the year to the Lochaber region of the Highlands to explore some of the west coast beaches around Ardnamurchan, and with a bonus Small Isle trip thrown into the mix. What I wasn’t expecting, but am very grateful for, is a forecast of three days of superb weather and temperatures higher than anywhere else in the UK. I arrived late last night in Arisaig after a long eight-hour drive, so after a restful night I am up and out early to check out one of the area’s most celebrated beaches before catching a ferry to the Isle of Muck. Camusdarach is a series of sandy bays forming part of the ‘Silver Sands of Morar’ which pepper the coast either side of the River Morar. It’s 7am when I arrive, so the beach is fresh and deserted. I make the short walk from the car park to the beach and from here, there are plenty of options to follow the dune network to reach small bays either side of the main event. Camusdarach is noted as the beach featured in the film Local Hero, which I’m old enough to remember (music by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits). A good start to the trip.