Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre is one of a number of providers of activities in Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO Biospheres are places where businesses and communities actively collaborate, sharing ideas and good practice of social, economic and environmental sustainability. The Covid pandemic has put new stresses on our daily lives, but it has also given us all the opportunity to slow down, think and plan for our futures. As one of the few entirely community-led UNESCO Biospheres in the world, we want to share and celebrate the businesses and organisations that help Wester Ross to thrive.

Gairloch Kayak Centre is a Biosphere supporter.

Beaches – activities and things to do in Gairloch

Activities in Wester Ross Biosphere

• Big Sands (sand)
  • Camas Mor (beyond Rua Reidh Lighthouse)
  • Gairloch (sand)
  • Mellon Udrigle (sand)
  • Melvaig (pebble and sand)
  • Red point (sand)

Boat Trips

• Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre:  01445 741738 / 07787526299 https://gairlochkayakcentre.com
  • Gairloch Glass Bottomed Boat:  http://glassbottomedboat.co.uk
  • Glendale Boat Trips: https://www.glendaleboathire.com
  • Hebridean Whale Cruises. Tel: 01445 712 458  https://www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk
  • Shieldaig Croft Boat Trips http://www.shieldaigcroft.com/things-to-do/boat-trips/  E: info@shieldaigcroft.com Tel: 01445 741229
  • Shellfish Safaris, Dry Island Badachro, Gairloch Tel: 01445 741 263  http://www.shellfishsafaris.co.uk/

Ceilidhs

• Poolewe Ceilidh is held from June to August at Poolewe Village Hall on a Wednesday evening.  All are welcome. The Poolewe Ceilidh Partnership. https://www.facebook.com/ThePooleweCeilidhPartnership/

Cinema

• The Screenmachine.Britain’s only mobile cinema serving the Highlands and Islands. Includes tour schedule, programme, and background to the project. https://www.screenmachine.co.uk/
  • 3 Lochs Cinema, Aultbea, offers monthly viewings of big screen hits. https://www.facebook.com/3lochscinema/

Climbing

Torridon Munro Guides, Scotland, Melvaig Tel: 01445 771006

• http://www.walkandwild.com/
  • There is a wealth of climbing available in the area with many crags to test your climbing skills. Go Further Scotland offer guided climbing trips.  Tel. Paul or Angela on 01445 771260 or Colin or Helen on 01854 633367, Email: contact@gofurtherscotland.co.uk

Cycling

• Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre BIKE HIRE: https://gairlochkayakcentre.com/bike-hire-gairloch/
  • The remote country roads with spectacular scenery attract numerous cyclists every summer. There are also land rover tracks that are suitable for mountain biking:
  • Ride to Redpoint; watch this video for what you can discover as your ride from Shieldaig to the beautiful beaches of Red Point  https://youtu.be/GSuCj3a9uFA
  • Loch Kernsary from Poolewe
  • Gruinard River above Gruinard Bay
  • Drumchork to Loch Fionn above Aultbea
  • Laide to Slaggan Beach
  • Shieldaig Forest from Shieldaig near Badachro
  • All of these trails are marked on the following maps: Explorer 434: Gairloch and Loch Ewe and Landranger 19: Gairoch and Loch Maree.

Distillery

• Badachro Gin Distillery: https://badachrodistillery.com

Falconry

• Falconry Centre, based at Shieldaig Lodge http://www.falconryscotland.co.uk/shieldaig-falconry.php

Fishing

• Kerry Sea Angling, Gairloch.  Tel: 0800 008 6833
  • Dry Island sea fishing trips, Badachro   Email:  IMcwhnny@aol.com, Tel: 01445 741263
  • Fishing in the Gairloch Area (book)

Gallery, Arts and Crafts

• Aultbea Woodcraft and Gift Shop Tel:01445 731394)
  • Bridge Cottage Café and Gallery, Poolewe
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g551903-d1764102-Reviews-Bridge_Cottage_Cafe-Poolewe_Ross_and_Cromarty_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html
• Solas Gallery in Gairloch: http://www.solasgallery.co.uk
  • The Perfume Studio, Aultbea:  http://www.perfume-studio.com
  • Latitude 57 Badachro: https://latitude57.net
  • Oran na Mara, Aultbea: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Gift-Shop/ORAN-NA-MARA-397889033742428/

Gardens

• Most popular attractions in the area, isInverewe Garden at Poolewe, with its visitor centre and restaurant. Now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, the garden was first established in the 1860s by the laird, Osgood Mackenzie.
  • Attadale Gardens: https://www.attadalegardens.com
  • Leckmelm Gardens, near Ullapool:https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/leckmelm_shrubbery_and_arboretum

Golf

• Gairloch Golf CourseThe course is comprised of 9 holes, set in spectacular scenery with a back drop of mountains. Gairloch, Scotland IV21 2BD. Tel: 01445 712407  http://www.gairlochgolfclub.co.uk/
• Activities and things to do in Gairloch

Hairdresser and Massage, Beauty Therapist

• Beautopia(Helen) Gairloch Tel: 07717 013904
  • https://www.facebook.com/beautopia.gairloch

Hill walking

• Torridon Munro Guides, Scotland, Melvaig Tel: 01445 771006
  • http://www.walkandwild.com/

Horse Riding

• Gairloch Trekking Centre, Croft 3, Red Point Gairloch, IV212AX Tel: 07769 838 528 Email: ponytrekking@hotmail.co.uk
  • https://www.gairlochtrekkingcentre.co.uk/

Inverewe Gardens

• Inverewe Garden is a botanical garden in the Scottish Highlands. It is located just to the north of Poolewe in Wester Ross, and is noted for the breadth of its collection. Tel: 01445 712952
  • https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/inverewe

Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool

• Gairloch Leisure Centre, climbing wall, badminton, fitness classes, short tennis, outdoor tennis in summer, archery and gym. Tel: 01445 712345
  • https://www.highlifehighland.com/gairloch-lesiure-centre/
  • Poolewe Swimming Pool Tel: 01445 781 345  
  • https://www.highlifehighland.com/poolewe/timetables/

Lighthouse

• Rua Reidh lighthouse

For more activities please see our website.