10 of the Best Things to do in Gairloch area
1. Visit Gairloch Beach and walk along the headland to the Harbour
The blue flag beach at Gairloch is a joy for sitting, swimming, paddle boarding or walking. With free parking and gently sloping waters the beach is a huge attraction for visitors and locals of Gairloch. Soft sandy beach and gently sloping waters, what more could you ask for? If you fancy a lovely little stroll why not park at the public parking, walking along Gairloch Beach to the headland. Here, at the headland, you will see a path which walks up and over the headland and takes you down into the harbour at Gairloch. From here you can visit the Gairloch Sitooterie and have a cup of tea or ice cream, before heading back up the road, past the golf course, to where you parked your car.
2. Gairloch Kayak Centre
The award winning kayak centre based on the shores of Gairloch. Based at the sheltered bay beside the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, we are fully equipped with our kayak centre, offering facilities for parking, toilets and refreshment along with all the equipment for an amazing kayaking experience. We are the perfect experience for kayakers in the Gairloch because our centre is sheltered from the prevailing wind and weather, conditions are great. We have blue waters to explore, little islands and a nearby seal colony. With so much to offer, we know you will have an amazing time.
3. Visit Gairloch Museum
Another award winner, Gairloch Museum is actually a converted nuclear bunker! Although you wouldn’t know it to look at. We a exhibitions from the old Rua Reidh lighthouse, exhibitions about Midges, Gruinard (Anthrax Island), the old Crofting way of life and a cafe with stunning views of the Gairloch, this museum has something to offer visitors of all ages.
Watch out for special events which the musem runs throughout the year, from art exhibitions, music and talks.
4. Cycle to Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Rua Reidh Lighthouse is now a private Bed and Breakfast and no longer has a lighthouse keeper. This majestic building has stood guard over the entrance of Loch Ewe since 1912. The lighthouse is now fully automated and doesn’t have a fog horn (this is now at the Gairloch Museum). If you park at the parking bays in Melvaig, the cycle route is a 3 mile out and back route. The private road is narrow (you will have to pull over for passing vehicles). Watch out along this route for Sea Eagles which navigate up and down this route and of course when you get to Rua Reidh Lighthouse, watch out for dolphins, basking sharks and the once every few years Orca.
5. Cycle or Walk to Red Point Beach
Red Point Beach is a magical place. Did you know it has featured in movies? What we Did on our Holiday featured Billy Connelly, David Tennant and Rosamund Pike, and if you only watch the trailer you will soon realise why they choose this spectacular location of film the movie. The beach still has the original old Salmon Bothy and ancient anchors sprinkle the shore. Depending on what time you visit their may be a little island or spit which you can visit.
We suggest if you are cycling you might want to start at Badachro and cycle the quiet single track roads until you get to the farm gate. Then secure your bike and start walking along the farm road, which skirts around the farm yard, and onwards to Red Point Beach. Prepared to have your break taken away when you get here. Why not take a picnic and enjoy this usually empty beach with spectacular views across to the Applecross Peninsula?
There are two beaches at Red Point, the first one is the most visited beach, the second beach, is almost a secret beach. We call it the Salmon Bothy Beach!
6. Visit Loch Maree and walk to Victoria Falls
Loch Maree is has fragments of original and ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and a miriad of little Islands to explore. However the shores around Loch Ness are just as fascinating.
From the shore you might be able to spot the rare Black Throated Divers or the rare White Tailed Sea Eagle which have been known to nest in the area.
Loch Maree is the home of Britian’s oldest National Nature Reserve and in the summer months up until October you can visit the Information Centre for more details. With way marked visitor trails you can decide just how much you wish to explore.
We recommend the Victoria Falls walk which beginns at Slattadale Car Park (Forestry Land Scotland). Here you can follow a path to a viewing area and see the waterfall which was renamed in 1877, when Queen Victoria came to visit. Forestry Land Scotland has a route card which you can use to discover the area.
7. Visit Inverewe Gardens and the Pine Wood Trail
Inverewe Gardens is the former home and gardens of the McKenzies, Lairds of the area. These gardens were gifted to the National Trust for Scotland and are now wonderful botanic gardens which thrive on this remote peninsular due to the effects of the Gulf Stream. You will find trees from China, amazing rhodedendron displays in May and beautiful blooms throughout the year.
There is a lovely cafe, walled garden, the Bothy Cafe and the Old House the original dwelling house of the family with some of their heirlooms and this is often home to exhibits from local artists. It is an inspiring location, with plenty of parking and it is also, now dog friendly.
If you fancy a larger walk, why not venture onto the Pine Wood Trail? Here you might spy the Red Squirrel Feeders which are dotted throughout the walk, to help feed the squirrels which were reintroduced by the National Trust. Even more exciting is that Pine Martens are also know to enjoy a hazel nut or two. Who knows if you sit quietly long enough, who might come along.
8. Walk the Flowerdale Loop and Arboretum
Flowerdale Glen is part of the McKenzie estate (local land owners). Located close to the Harbour of Gairloch and with plenth of parking, this is a lovely walk in any season. Both of the walks are way marked, you can choose to walk the more challenging circular route up and round to the waterfall, or alternatively you may to simply explore the Arboretum route. This route, which is much shorter, offers ancient woodland, with scenic viewpoints over to the beach and sea at Gairloch. Not matter which route you may decide on, we know it was be beautiful.
Learn more about the area and download this detailed map and history here: Flowerdale Paths and History
9. Have a tour at the Badachro Distillery
Located only a couple of miles from our Kayak Centre in Gairloch is Badachro Distillery, home of local (and very tasty) gins. Vanessa and Gordon not only live in Badachro but indeed their love story begin in Badachro where they met and married. Originally they ran a very popular B&B and after the children began to grow up they started a new venture, Badachro Gin.
Now their little distillery has a world wide reputation for it’s unique and memorable flavour. Do you want to learn more and perhaps sample a nip or two?
Great they offer tours. Why not give them a call to arrange a tour at Badachro Distillery?
10. Walk to the Fairy Lochs
These beautiful pools called the Fairy Lochs are a lovely walk from our Kayak Centre. The lochs are remote and the path can be a bit marshy, so wear stout footwear. Not only are these remote lochs beautiful, they are also the location of a Liberator Crash Memorial. It was on the 13th of June 1945 that a USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber crashed, when aiming to return to Prestwick Airfield at the end of World War II.
The area around the lochs is now a war grave with original wreckage from the disaster. Please be respectful and leave the wreackage where it reamins. Do not distub the wreckage but please do pay your respect to the 15 crew and passengers who died in the accident.
A very detailed route can be found here, on the Walk the Highlands website and remember to pop in and book your trip for a kayak with us whilst you are passing!
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