Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gairloch and around
Cheerful and unpretentious, GAIRLOCH thrives as a low-key holiday resort, with several
sandy beaches for the bucket and spade brigade, some good coastal walks within easy
reach and an abundance of wildlife cruise operators that pray for passing minke whales.
The township is divided into distinct areas spread along Loch Gairloch: to the south,
in  Flowerdale Bay , is Charlestown with the harbour; west, at the turn-off to Melvaig,
Achtercairn is the centre of Gairloch; and along the north side of the bay is the crofting
area of Strath . Near the Old Inn in Charlestown, the Sòlas Gallery (Easter-Oct daily
9am-5pm; T 01445 712626, W solasgallery.co.uk) is worth a stop for its ceramics and
watercolours inspired by the Highlands landscapes. While you're there, a 1.5-mile walk
(round trip) tracks the Flowerdale River through a woodland glen to a waterfall.
Gairloch Heritage Museum
By the turn-off from the A832 into Achtercairn • April-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • £4 • T 01445 712287, W gairlochheritagemuseum.org
he Gairloch Heritage Museum houses eclectic displays of traditional Highland life, from
a mock-up crofthouse to an early knitting machine, plus a small gallery of folk art.
Probably the most interesting section is the archive made by elderly locals - an array of
photographs, maps, genealogies and taped recollections, albeit mostly in Gaelic.
Big Sand and Melvaig
The area's real attraction is its coastline . here's a beach just north of the harbour in
Charlestown, a crescent of pure sand, or a more impressive stretch a few miles around
the north side of the bay at Big Sand - it's cleaner, quieter and a mite more pebbly. The
B8021 terminates at the crofting hamlet of Melvaig - a pint and meal await you in the
eccentric Melvaig Inn (see p.236).
4
Ruba Reidh and around
From Melvaig, a private track heads three miles to Rubha Reidh (pronounced
“roo-a-ray”), where a fully operational lighthouse houses a hostel in its keepers' quarters
(see p.236). Only guests are permitted to drive along the track, but visitors are welcome
to walk or cycle to the lighthouse.
Around the headland lies beautiful Camas Mòr beach, from where a marked footpath
tracks inland (southeast) beneath a sheer scarp slope, past a string of lochans and
ruined crofts to MIDTOWN on the east side of the peninsula, four miles north of
Poolewe on the B8057. Allow half a day, though be aware that few buses travel back
from Poolewe (currently Mon, Wed & Sat; 7.45pm; check times on T 01445 712255).
Badachro and Redpoint
On the south side of Loch Gairloch, a single-track lane (built with the Destitution
Funds raised during the nineteenth-century potato famine) winds past wooded coves
and inlets along the loch to BADACHRO , a secluded, former fishing village with a
wonderful pub (see p.236).
Beyond Badachro, the road winds five miles further to REDPOINT , with beautiful
beaches of peach-coloured sand on either side of the headland and great views to
Raasay, Skye and the Western Isles. It also marks the trailhead for the wonderful coast
walk to Lower Diabaig (see p.233). Even if you don't fancy a full-blown hike, follow
the path a mile or so to find an exquisite beach on the south side of the headland.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMAT ION
GAIRLOCH AND AROUND
By bus Public transport is minimal and requires careful
planning. Bus stops for all services are at the Old Inn ,
Charlestown, as well as Achtercain and Strath.
Destinations Inverness (Mon-Sat 1 daily; also ScotBus
June-Sept Mon-Sat 1 daily; 2hr 45min); Poolewe (Mon,
Wed & Sat 1 daily; 15min); Ullapool (Mon, Wed, Thurs & Sat
1 daily; 1hr 10min).
Tourist information In community centre Gale Centre in
Achtercairn (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun
11am-3pm; T 01397 874543, W galeactionforum.co.uk).
 
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