Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gairloch Heritage Museum
(
www.gairlochheritagemuseum.org
;
Achtercairn; adult/child £4/1; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat
Apr-Oct)
This museum has all sorts of interesting displays on life in the West Highlands
from Pictish times to the present, including locally built fishing boats and a faithful recre-
ation of a crofter's cottage.
MUSEUM
GARDEN
Inverewe Garden
(NTS;
www.nts.org.uk
; Poolewe; adult/concession £9.50/7; 10am-3pm Nov-Mar, to
6pm Apr-Aug, to 4pm Sep & Oct)
Six miles north of Gairloch, this splendid garden is a
welcome splash of colour on an otherwise bleak stretch of coast. The climate here is
warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, which allowed Osgood MacKenzie, a son of the
laird of Gairloch, to create this exotic woodland garden in 1862. There are free guided
tours on weekdays at 1.30pm (March to October). The cafe has great cakes.
NATURE DISPLAY
Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre
(
01445-712636;
www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
; Pier Rd, Charlestown; 10am-4pm
Easter-Oct)
The Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre has audiovisual and interactive dis-
plays, lots of charts and photos and knowledgeable staff.
Cruises
(
01445-712636;
www.porpoisegairloch.co.uk
;
adult/child £20/15)
run from the centre and sail up to three
times daily (weather permitting); during the two-hour trips you may see basking sharks,
porpoises and minke whales. The crew collects data on water temperature and conditions,
and monitors cetacean populations, so your fare is subsidising an important research pro-
ject.
Hebridean Whale Cruises
(
01445-712458;
www.hebridean-whale-cruises.com
; Pier Rd; cruises per hr £10-20)
Based at the harbour, this set-up runs close-in trips to see seals, otters and seabirds, or
trips further out to feeding grounds where you might see dolphins, minke whales or orca.
It operates two boats, one a cabin cruiser, the other a zippy rigid inflatable.
BOAT TOUR
Gairloch Trekking Centre
(
01445-712652;
www.gairlochtrekkingcentre.co.uk
;
Flowerdale Mains, Gairloch;
Fri-Wed Mar-Oct)
Offers riding lessons, pony trekking and guided treks in the ample
grounds of Gailoch Estate.
HORSE RIDING
