Clach na Criche

The Wishing Stone in Morvern is formed from a dyke that intruded into surrounding rocks around 60 million years ago.  The surrounding rock has since eroded away leaving the dyke as boulder like outcrop.  The dyke has a large angular hole in the centre and has many joints within its structure.  The bare surface is covered with a stunning patchwork of white, grey and orange crustiose lichens, whilst numerous crevices support members of the Parmelion and Usneion communities. 

The stone has been used as a boundary marker (hence its Gaelic name Clach na Criche), formerly between the lands of the Pict and Scots, and more recently between the medieval parishes of Kilcolmkill and Killintag.  It no longer serves this purpose as the parishes have since been amalgamated.  

The English name of the outcrop derives from local folklore.  Wishes were said to be granted at the Wishing Stone if you filled your mouth with water from the local spring and passed through the stone three times without touching the sides or swallowing the water. 

The Wishing Stone was also a stopping off point for funeral processions between Lochaline and Drimnin, for both refreshment and remembrance.  Cairns were built by the mourners in memory of the deceased.  For sources further information, please see links below.

Access Point

Park at the Forestry Commission Car Park.  The Wishing Stone is a short walk west from the car park.