Gairloch

United_Kingdom

Gairloch is a straggling community along the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands. The land is hilly and farming isn't very productive, but creel fishing for shellfish is a traditional occupation.

  • The scenic coastline and beaches - even right by the harbour, you'll see seals and perhaps even minke whales. To the south is Badachro and Red Point, to the north is Melvaig (and see lighthouse entry below).
  • Gairloch Heritage Museum, Achtercairn House, Gairloch IV21 2BP (village centre. Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-15:00. Gairloch through the ages: stone axes, Picts, crofts, fishing, lighthouses and whisky. Adults £4.
  • Inverewe Garden, Poolewe IV22 2LG (on A832 five miles north of Gairloch. Daily 09:00-17:00 or dusk if sooner. Botanical garden, which a 19th C enthusiast intended just as a windbreak, then his mania for collecting exotic plants got out of hand . . . early seasons take colour from the rhododendrons and Erythroniums. In summer the walled gardens and borders are the highlight. Adult £11.

Gairloch Heritage Museum, Achtercairn House, Gairloch IV21 2BP (village centre. Apr-Oct M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-15:00. Gairloch through the ages: stone axes, Picts, crofts, fishing, lighthouses and whisky. Adults £4.

Inverewe Garden, Poolewe IV22 2LG (on A832 five miles north of Gairloch. Daily 09:00-17:00 or dusk if sooner. Botanical garden, which a 19th C enthusiast intended just as a windbreak, then his mania for collecting exotic plants got out of hand . . . early seasons take colour from the rhododendrons and Erythroniums. In summer the walled gardens and borders are the highlight. Adult £11.

  • Fishing: there's a choice of sea-fishing from shore, harbour or boat, or fly-fishing in the nearby lochs and streams.
  • Marine sightseeing tours. Gairloch Marine Life centre runs daily boat trips, these are great for seeing seals, birds, whales and lots more.
  • Gairloch Leisure Centre, IV21 2BP (behind museum, +44 1445 712345. M-F 15:30-21:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00, closed mid July - mid Aug. Fitness classes, trampolining, archery and climbing wall, some activities need to be pre-booked.
  • Gairloch Highland Gathering is held in late June or start of July, the first Saturday after schools break up, often coinciding with Armed Forces Day. Bands, games, food, drinks, dancing, Highland sports and so on. The next event is expected to be Sat 25 June 2020, tbc.
  • Rua Reidh Lighthouse, built 1912, is on the headland 12 miles north of Gairloch, follow B8021 to the end of the public road at Melvaig. The last couple of miles are private track but you can walk it. The lighthouse is nowadays a B&B, plus the self-catering "Officers' Quarters", so you can't go in (or drive up the track) except as a booked guest.

Fishing: there's a choice of sea-fishing from shore, harbour or boat, or fly-fishing in the nearby lochs and streams.

Marine sightseeing tours. Gairloch Marine Life centre runs daily boat trips, these are great for seeing seals, birds, whales and lots more.

Gairloch Leisure Centre, IV21 2BP (behind museum, +44 1445 712345. M-F 15:30-21:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00, closed mid July - mid Aug. Fitness classes, trampolining, archery and climbing wall, some activities need to be pre-booked.

Gairloch Highland Gathering is held in late June or start of July, the first Saturday after schools break up, often coinciding with Armed Forces Day. Bands, games, food, drinks, dancing, Highland sports and so on. The next event is expected to be Sat 25 June 2020, tbc.

Rua Reidh Lighthouse, built 1912, is on the headland 12 miles north of Gairloch, follow B8021 to the end of the public road at Melvaig. The last couple of miles are private track but you can walk it. The lighthouse is nowadays a B&B, plus the self-catering "Officers' Quarters", so you can't go in (or drive up the track) except as a booked guest.

Buddha by the Sea is an offbeat gift shop in village centre.

  • The Steading Bistro is a coffee shop & cafe open F-W 11:00-17:00.
  • The Shieling Restaurant, IV21 2BH, +44 1445 712888. Nov-Mar M-Sa 10:00-16:00; Apr-Oct also evenings. Traditional Scottish fare: steak, lamb, seafood, venison. Winter lunch only, dinners in summer.

The Shieling Restaurant, IV21 2BH, +44 1445 712888. Nov-Mar M-Sa 10:00-16:00; Apr-Oct also evenings. Traditional Scottish fare: steak, lamb, seafood, venison. Winter lunch only, dinners in summer.

  • Bars include The Millcroft and The Old Inn in Gairloch village, and Badachro Inn some miles south. They serve food and may have accommodation.
  • Loch Ewe distillery is a very small affair, producing only 600 litres of whisky a year. Try some while you're in the area, but the distillery isn't open for tours.

The signal is very scratchy hereabouts.

  • Go north to Ullapool, for ferries to Stornoway on Lewis.
  • South is Torridon and Kylesku, thence to Skye.
  • East takes you via Strathpeffer towards Inverness.