Gairloch
Gairloch consists of a string of tiny crofting townships scattered around the northeastern shore of the loch of the same name.
It's a great place which attracts a large number of visitors who come for the many beautiful beaches, excellent walks, golf and fishing, and the chance of seeing seals, porpoises, dolphins and whales in the surrounding waters.
Eating Out
The Myrtle Bank Hotel (see above) serves very good, expensive, meals, and its bar lunches are good value. The Scottish Seafood Restaurant, Tel. 712137, next to Gairloch filling station, is good for seafood at mid-range prices (unlicensed).
The Mountain Restaurant, Strath Sq, Tel. 712316, has a terrace overlooking Gair Loch. It is run by mountaineers and offers an interesting menu, as well as accommodation in several themed rooms.
There's also The Steading Restaurant, Tel. 712449, next to the Heritage Museum, which is open daily 0930-2100. For a lite bite, or tea and scones, try the Conservatory Coffee Shop, on the square in Strath.
For cheap pasta, there's Gino's Italian Restaurant at the friendly Millcroft Hotel in Strath, Tel. 712376.
The best place for a good pint of real ale and some hearty pub grub is The Old Inn, Tel. 712006, near the harbour.
Travel Directions to Gairloch
There are buses to and from Inverness 3 times a week, also buses to Kinlochewe and a local postbus service. A passenger ferry service now operates from Gairloch to Portree on Skye.
The Tourist Information Centre, Tel. 712130, is at the car park in Auchtercairn, where the road branches off to Strath. They will book accommodation for you and sell a wide range of books and maps.
There are shops and takeaways in Strath and Auchtercairn, a petrol station in Auchtercairn, and a bank near the harbour at Charleston. Jan-Mar, Nov and Dec Mon-Thu 0900-1230 and 1300-1700, Fri 0900-1230 and 1300-1630; Apr and May, Sep and Oct Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1300-1800; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1300-1800
Transport
There's a bus from Inverness to Gairloch 3 times a week (Mon, Wed and Sat) at 1705 with Westerbus, Tel. 712255. The return bus is at 0805. Westerbus also have services to Kinlochewe (Mon-Sat at 0730) and to Mellon Charles/Laide, via Poolewe (Mon-Sat). There's a Melvaig-Gairloch-Red Point postbus service Mon-Sat which leaves Gairloch at 0820 heading north to Melvaig and leaves Gairloch heading south to Red Point at 1035. On Fri only there's a subsidized taxi service between Gairloch and Melvaig 1030-1230 (to book Tel. 712559/712497).
Local Sights & Activities for Gairloch
If the weather's bad (as it sometimes can be) or if you're interested in local history, then visit the Gairloch Heritage Museum, which is beside the tourist office on the A832 to Poolewe, a few yards beyond the turn-off to Strath. Included are archaeological finds, a mock-up of a crofthouse room, schoolroom and shop, the interior of the local lighthouse and an archive of old photographs. Info - Apr-mid-Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1700. £2.50, concession £2, children £0.50. Tel. 712287.
The waters around Gairloch are home to a wide variety of marine mammals such as seals, otters, porpoises, dolphins, minke whales and even killer whales. You can take a wildlife-spotting cruise with Sail Gairloch, Tel. 712636. The cruise lasts two hours and leaves daily from Gairloch Pier (subject to weather conditions). It can be booked at the Gairloch Marine Life Centre by the pier.
The most sucessful Whale watching boats are run by Hebridean Whale Cruises who specialise on the offshore feeding grounds and are the only way to the magnificent Shiant Islands from mainland Scotland. Info and bookings Tel. 712458.
For information on sea angling trips, contact the chandlery shop at the harbour, Tel. 712458.
For those who prefer dry land, try a quad bike tour of the Flowerdale Deer Forest with Highland Trails. Book at The Anchorage post office/craft shop at the harbour or at Flowerdale estate office, Tel. 712378.
Pony Trekking in the beautiful Flowerdale Glen can be arranged by phoning 712652 or 07769838528 at Gairloch Trekking Centre
Local Visitor Attractions
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Inverewe Gardens
Northern headland gardens started by Osgood Mackenzie in 1862. The North Atlantic drift allows exotic shrubs, trees and bamboos to flourish.
Gairloch Hotels & Accommodation
Myrtle Bank Hotel, Tel. 712004, Fax. 712214, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 12 rooms. Modern hotel in the centre of Gairloch overlooking the loch, very good food and service in the restaurant (expensive dinner and cheap bar meals).
The Old Inn at Gairloch is a traditional Inn serving excellent beer and food.
There are numerous cheaper B&Bs scattered throughout the area. Most of the owners will provide maps and information on local walks. On the main street in Strath, near the shops, is Bains House, Tel. 712472, which is friendly and great value. On the road that turns off to the right by the Millcroft Hotel, beyond the fire station, is Duisary, Tel. 712252, open Apr-Oct. In Charleston, by the harbour, is Mrs A MacIver, Tel. 712388, open Feb-Nov.
Further afield, at Badachro, south of Gairloch on the road to Red Point, is Lochside, Tel. 741295. Also at Badachro is Badachro Bunkhouse, Tel. 07760-344008. 13 miles north of Gairloch, at the end of the road, is the Rubha Reidh Lighthouse, Tel./Fax. 771263, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., which offers comfortable B&B (including dinner) and hostel accommodation. It's best to book ahead in the high season. They also have a tearoom serving home baking, snacks and light lunches; open Easter-Oct Sun, Tue and Thu 1100-1700. Self-catering is also available for private rooms or the hostel. There are buses from Gairloch as far as Melvaig (see below), then it's a 3-mile hike along the road to the lighthouse.
There are a couple of hostels in Gairloch: Auchtercairn Hostel, Tel. 712131, open Mar-Nov, is at Gairloch Sands Apartments, just before the turn-off to Strath; 3 miles beyond Gairloch, on the road to Melvaig, isCarn Dearg Youth Hostel, Tel. 712219, open 15 May-3 Oct.
There are a couple of campsites: Gairloch Caravan & Camping Park, Tel. 712373, is at Strath, with full facilities and close to all amenities.
Sands Holiday Centre, Tel. 01445 712152, open Easter-Oct, is at Big Sand, about a mile beyond Strath. Camp next the beach and has a great little cafe on site that comes highly recommended. There is also wifi on site and in cafe for those who need to instagram their stay, etc.
Gairloch Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Creag Hastin Holiday House near Gairloch - Sleeps 6
Modern holiday house on edge of Gairloch village on North West coast of Scotland, south of Poolewe. Simple design with triple room accommodation -
Seascape House nr Gairloch - Sleeps 8/9
This spacious, detached house enjoys panoramic views towards the lovely village of Gairloch with its sweeping sandy beach, the Torridon Mountains and the Isle of Skye. Seascape House has been renovated and... -
Beach Cottage, Gairloch - Sleeps 2
A warm welcome awaits you at this wonderful holiday cottage. Just yards from the beach, it is perfectly placed in the heart of the popular village of Gairloch. It enjoys wonderful views of the waters of Lo... -
Udrigle House, Gairloch, Sleeps 6
Situated just yards from the shore and a small sandy beach and with amazing views all around, this wonderful grade A listed detached character house was built around 1700. The house was lovingly renovated in 199... -
Holiday Apartment, nr Gairloch - Sleeps 6
With lovely views over the sea to the Torridon Mountains, this lovely new first floor apartment is just 1/2 mile from the beach in an area which boast some of the most beautiful scenery on the west .... -
Croft House Cottage, near Gairloch - Sleeps 4
This traditional croft house is situated in a scenic and peaceful location in the crofting community of North Erradale, 6 miles along the coast from the charming little port of Gairloch. A wide range .. -
Crofters Cottage, Wester Ross - Sleeps 5
Delightfully situated amidst the beautiful coastal scenery of Wester Ross, this former crofter\'s cottage enjoys spectacular, panoramic views to the sea and Outer Hebrides. It has been .... -
Torridon Sunrise House, Badachro - Sleeps 10
In a beautiful and very peaceful location above the pretty little coastal village of Badachro, and enjoying spectacular sea and mountain views this attractive detached house has been built in a .... -
Wilderness Retreat, Gairloch, Sleeps 4
This bright, spacious, well furnished, warm and cosy detached single storey property has stunning views over the sea and mountains as well as a peaceful mature garden. Situated in a crofting village, it stands a... -
Cuckoo Croft, nr Gairloch - sleeps 4
In an elevated position with glorious sea and mountain views in all directions, this light, airy and attractively furnished holiday apartment enjoys a picturesque setting overlooking Loch Ewe. Reached by i... -
Camus Na Harry, Gairloch, Sleeps 4
Standing in 4 acres of garden which lead down to a shingle beach, this single-storey, wooden-clad property enjoys a gloriously secluded situation with breathtaking sea views. It offers spacious and very co... -
Grinills,nr. Gairloch, sleeps 6/7
Enjoying fabulous views towards Loch Gairloch and on to the beautiful Isle of Skye, this comfortable detached holiday bungalow is just a few minutes’ walk from an unspoilt sandy beach where you may s... -
Ach-na-Clachan, Gairloch, Sleeps 6
Occupying a marvellous setting, with all main windows overlooking Gairloch Bay to the magnificent Torridon Mountains and the Isle of Skye beyond, this traditional stone cottage and its large natural garden...