Gairloch

A couple of years ago on one of my cycle touring trips taking me through the west coast of Scotland, I came across a delightful community of Gairloch. My original intentions were to have a single night stop here before carrying on with the rest of my journey. However, due to one thing leading to another, I spent several days visiting the Gairloch heritage museum, taking a boat trip and generally soaking up the atmosphere. So, what better excuse to make a hubpage about this community.

About Gairloch

The charming Wester Ross community of Gairloch, Scotland is made up of the several villages and hamlets around Loch Gairloch (Geàrrloch means ‘short loch’ in Gaelic) going from Rua Reidh Lighthouse to Red Point. Not only proving stunning scenery, there are a wide range of activites for the visiting tourists. The clean sandy beach of Gairloch has the dramatic backdrop of the layer upon layer of Torridon mountains to the south. This region has been a popular holiday resort since Victorian times, when visitors came in on the regular steamers from the south. In those days most visitors lodged at the 150-bed Gairloch Hotel, but today there is a wider choice of accommodation of campsites, bed and breakfast rooms to of course the hotel. In the summer the local inns and hotels frequently hold ceilidhs and musical evenings.

Activities

On the sea

Sea fishing trips ( Gairloch Marine Life Centre and Cruises ) go out daily in the season from Gairloch Pier, and sea life tours venture out on the loch to look for porpoises, seals, dolphins, whales and sea birds. Or go out with a working creel fisherman to see what turns up. All these sea activities are bookable in the Harbour area or by phone

By the sea

All around Gairloch from Red Point to Rua Reidh ( Rua Reidh ) you can watch sea birds and marine mammals, and enjoy the fine sandy beaches. These include Red Point, the Golf Course beach and Sands (car access to Sands beach is via Sands Holiday Centre). Golf Gairloch’s beautifully situated and well-maintained 9-hole golf course is open seven days a week. ( Gairloch Golf Course )

Visitors are very welcome to play and clubs may be hired if you do not have room in you bike panniers. Apparently there’s good fishing to be had in the many hill lochs in the area, and some river fishing. Permits are available from Gunns newsagents, the chandlery and various hotels. Visitors can also buy tackle or hire rods in Strath and near the Pier.

Walking

From an amble to a ramble to a scramble, there’s good walking to be had for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness around Gairloch. Walking guide books are available from the Tourist Information Centre and from several local shops. Follow signs for the path from Strath to the Harbour, or for the Flowerdale walks ( Flowerdale Walks ) or collect a leaflet from the information box there. Ask at the Tourist Information Centre for details of Guided walking with qualified mountain guides. Stalking takes place on the hills around Gairloch from late September onwards. Details from the Estate Office (near Flowerdale House).

Accommodation

As mentioned earlier there is a wider choice of accommodation from camp sites to bed and breakfast rooms to the tried and tested hotel Gairloch. Apparently, there are also cottages scattered around gairloch which are abled to be hired if you prefer to go self catering on your vacation.