The north and northwest Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 231

ACCOMMODAT ION AND EATING
SHIELDAIG
Camping area A designated campsite with no facilities
but superb views of the loch is above the waterfront near
the primary school at the village's north end.
Ì Tigh-an-Eilean T 01520 755251, W tighaneilean
.co.uk. Faultless service and utter relaxation in a lovely
small hotel on the waterfront with classy country accom-
modation plus a sensational restaurant (reservation
essential); expect the likes of West Coast sea bream with
a Provençal tomato confit on innovative daily menus
(£45 for three courses). The attached Shieldag Bar and
Coastal Kitchen rustles up top-notch bistro dishes like
seafood stews and posh pizzas (£8-12). Bar Feb-New
Year dai ly 11 am-11pm; food served March-Oct daily
6-9pm. £150

hunting lodge is one of the west coast's grandest stays.
Sympathetically styled where boutique meets baronial
in public areas and Master rooms; Classics are more up to
date. A fine-dining restaurant (£55 for three courses) is
splendidly elegant for daily menus of seasonal modern
Europea n cuis ine, the whisky bar with 350-plus malts a
delight. £230
Torridon Inn 1 mile south of turn-off into village
T 01445 791242, W thetorridon.com. Adjacent to and
run by the Torridon hotel, this is more cyclist- and walker-
friendly, with neat, plain en-suites. Its moderately priced
bar-bistro serves regional ales and good gastropub
cooking - salmon, fish and chips or steak-and-ale pie
(around £10-12). Jan-March & Dec Thurs-Sun 8am-
11pm; food serve d 8-1 0am & noon-9pm; April-Nov
daily, same hours. £104
SYHA Torridon Start of village, 100m from turn-off
T 01445 791284, W syha.org.uk. Though the Seventies-
vintage municipal building is no looker, this hostel is
spacious and a popular choice with hikers and bikers
thanks to a location beneath the peaks. Provides the usual
laundry and drying room, plus v ery c heap me als d aily.
Closed three weeks in Jan. Dorms £18 ; doubles £46

TORRIDON
Camping area A wild camp is located beside the turning
into the village beside the SYHA hostel. Dishwashing and
a shower is in an adjacent public toilet. Beware the midges
in summer, though.
Torridon 1 mile south of turn-off into village
T 01445 791242, W thetorridon.com. This Victorian 4

Loch Maree
About eight miles north of Loch Torridon, Loch Maree , dotted with Caledonian-pine-
covered islands, is one of the area's scenic highlights, best viewed from the A832 road
that drops down to its southeastern tip through Glen Docherty. At the southeastern
end of the loch, the A896 from Torridon meets the A832 from Achnasheen at small
KINLOCHEWE , a good base if you're heading into the hills.

Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve
The A832 skirts the southern shore of Loch Maree, passing the Beinn Eighe
Nature Reserve , Britain's oldest wildlife sanctuary, set up in 1951. Parts of the
reserve are forested with Caledonian pine, which once covered the whole country,
and it is home to pine martens, wildcats, buzzards and golden eagles. A mile
north of Kinlochewe, the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre (Easter & May-Oct
daily 10am-5pm; T 01445 760254, W nnr-scotland.org.uk/beinn-eighe), on the
A832, informs visitors about the rare species and offers several “talking trails” for
children. Two walks start from the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park a mile north of
the visitor centre: a mile-long trail into ancient pine woodland and a 3.5-mile track
into the mountains.
ACCOMMODAT ION AND EATING LOCH MAREE

Kinlochewe Hotel A832 T 01445 760253,
W kinlochewehotel.co.uk. A traditional hotel with a
warm welcome and decent line in regional beers and daily
good-value soups and casseroles. Rooms are modest but
comfy enough, though en-suites cost another £20. An
annexe holds a very basic twelve-be d bu nkhou se, with
triple-deck bunks in one room. Doubles £75 ; dorm £15.50

Whistle Stop Café Torrisdale Rd T 01445 760423. The
old village hall is always a good stop before or after the
hills, preparing hearty breakfasts and a modern-European
bistro menu, that swings from sandwiches and wraps to
salads of scallops and bacon (£6-14). Easter-Oct Mon-
Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri & Sat 9am-9pm; Nov-Easter
same hours but closed Mon.