Welcoming visitors to the area has long since been a key industry in Strontian, which is thought of as particularly beautiful with its pretty white buildings, lochside position, and mountainous backdrop. By 1820, Strontian lay on the road Thomas Telford built to link Corran with Acharacle, and, as an obvious beauty spot, it also became a regular stopping point for steamers providing services to Tobermory on Mull.
 

The village name in Gaelic, Sron an t-Sithein, translates as the nose of the fairy hill, meaning a knoll or low round hill inhabited by the mythological sidhe, revealing both a spiritual and mythological side to local beliefs.

The village has another claim to fame and intriguing footnote in history. In 1843, a local landowner refused permission to build a Free Presbyterian Church in the area. The village clubbed together to commission the build of a vessel on Clydeside, had it converted into a church, and then had it towed it up the West coast of Scotland to a mooring nearby on Loch Sunart (in the next bay along from ours), where it became known as the Floating Church. This served the community until the 1870s, and was a clear demonstration of the spirit and determination of the locals here, which continues to this day.

If you fancy a walk into the village, you'll find craft shops on the green, including Oakwood Tourism & Crafts, a lovely shop which also doubles up as the local Tourism centre. Around the corner at the head of the loch you'll see a standing stone  known locally as the Branks Stone or Penance Stone, and you'll find the local Post Office and  petrol station just after that on the right, so you can refuel in the village and top up on stamps and postcards while you're there!