Wester Ross
The Gairloch area
Our houses are on the south side of Loch Gairloch, where the road winds along the shore from Shieldaig to Badachro and on to Red Point. It is quiet, green and close to the sea, with Gairloch village a short drive away.
Gairloch village
A few minutes’ drive from all three houses. There are shops, cafés, a petrol station and a small harbour where wildlife boat trips leave in summer. Gairloch Museum tells the story of the area and is housed in a former Cold War anti-aircraft operations room.
Beaches
Gairloch Beach is a long stretch of pale sand below the golf course, and Big Sand, a few miles further west, is wilder and quieter. At the end of the road past Badachro, Red Point has a red-sand beach with views out to Skye and the Outer Hebrides on a clear day.
Wildlife
Seals are often seen on the rocks below Glenview. Boat trips from Gairloch harbour look for porpoises, dolphins and, from late spring, minke whales. Golden eagles and white-tailed eagles hunt over the hills and lochs.
Inverewe Garden
The National Trust for Scotland’s famous garden at Poolewe, a short drive north. Plants from around the world thrive here thanks to the warm Gulf Stream air.
Loch Maree and Beinn Eighe
Loch Maree, with Slioch rising above it, is one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland. Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, near Kinlochewe, has waymarked mountain and woodland trails, including the Mountain Trail and the shorter Woodland Trail.
Walks from the door
The Flowerdale Falls walk starts from Gairloch and follows a burn through woodland to a waterfall. On the south shore, quiet single-track roads and coastal paths lead to small beaches and viewpoints over the loch.
Eating out
The Badachro Inn sits right on the water in Badachro. Gairloch has several cafés and restaurants. We’ll share our current favourites when you book.
Getting here
Gairloch is on the North Coast 500, around 70 miles west of Inverness, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes by car. Inverness has the nearest airport and mainline station. The last few miles to each house are on single-track road with passing places.