Gairloch Scotland

Welcome to Gairloch Scotland

The thriving Wester Ross community of Gairloch is made up of all the villages and hamlets around Loch Gairloch (Geàrrloch means ‘short loch’ in Gaelic), from Red Point in the southwest to Rua Reidh Lighthouse in the northwest.

The area provides a wealth of activities for visitors as well as spectacular scenery, with unforgettable sunsets across the Minch to the Western Isles and the dramatic backdrop of the Torridon mountains to the south.

Gairloch offers visitors clean sandy beaches, with history at every turn, dolphins, porpoises and seals in the loch, fishing boats in the harbour, a superb golf course, opportunities for fishing and pony trekking, and some of the best and most varied walking in Scotland. The area 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 put up at the 150-bed Gairloch Hotel (built in 1872), but today’s visitors have a wide choice of accommodation, and lots of different places to wine, dine and shop all around the loch. In the summer the local inns and hotels frequently hold ceilidhs and musical evenings.

Gairloch’s colourful history has been dominated by its easy access from the sea and relative inaccessibility from the land. The full story of the Gairloch area is fascinatingly depicted in the award-winning Heritage Museum.

Accommodation around Gairloch

Price Guide - per person based on sharing room: under $40 - $41 - 70 - more than $70

Hotels and Guesthouses below - Self catering cottages click here

History is all around you, from the Bronze Age hut circles by the Sand River and the remains of the vitrified fort of An Dùn by Gairloch beach to the Destitution roads and the magnificent family seat of the Clan Mackenzie in the wooded Flowerdale glen. Place names speak both of Viking invaders and of the traditional Gaelic culture (Gaelic is still spoken by many local people).

The harbour, once the centre of a thriving cod fishery, is today home to a small handful of fishing boats, landing a range of fish and shellfish.

Things to do and see in Gairloch
On the sea
Sea fishing trips 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 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. Visitors are very welcome, and clubs may be hired. River and loch fishing 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 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).

Sports
Outdoor pursuits around Gairloch include rock climbing, abseiling and orienteering with instruction and equipment, and Pony treks in the beautiful Gairloch estate. The Leisure Centre next to the High School offers sporting activities all year round. The friendly swimming pool at Poolewe, 6 miles (10km) north of Gairloch, also welcomes visitors.

Other attractions
Gairloch Heritage Museum This award-winning museum housed in a restored farm steading has many fascinating displays – well worth a visit. Gairloch Harbour A relaxed harbour for fishing boats and pleasure craft, with a small marine life centre.

Gift/Craft shops There are several in and around Gairloch, including art galleries and a pottery.

Rua Reidh lighthouse Dramatic views over the Minch to the Outer Hebrides, with good bird and marine life watching en route (the lighthouse tower is not open to the public).

Red Point A spectacular sandy beach and dunes reached via the scenic route around the south side of Loch Gairloch past the picturesque sheltered anchorage of Badachro.

Waterfalls In Gairloch at Flowerdale, and also the Victoria Falls at Slattadale just a few miles to the south on the A832.

Local radio Gairloch’s community radio station, Two Lochs Radio, went on the air in 2003, and is proving a great hit locally. Two Lochs Radio is the place to find out where to be and what to see and do in the Gairloch and Loch Ewe areas. Tune in on 106 FM (Gairloch) or 106.6 FM (Loch Ewe and Loch Maree).

For families
Gairloch offers clean, safe beaches, friendly accommodation and eateries and a wealth of wildlife – look out for the sheep! At the harbour you can see fishing boats and may even spot Sammy the seal. There is a Pitch and Putt by the play area at Strath, and the Toybox play centre (behind the Community Centre) welcomes young visitors. Further afield Gairloch is a good base for visiting Inverewe Garden NTS, the world-famous subtropical woodland gardens on the shore of Loch Ewe 6 miles (10km) north of Gairloch on the A832, with colourful displays throughout the year. Beinn Eighe, Britain’s first National Nature Reserve, is 16 miles (25km) south, alongside beautiful Loch Maree. The Wester Ross Coastal Trail road route passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.

If you need somewhere safe and stimulating for the kids, the Toybox Children's Centre provides daycare for children from 3 months to 12 years and visiting children are very welcome.

Where to stay
From budget to 5-star, Gairloch offers visitors a wide range of accommodation. Choose from self-catering houses, bed and breakfast, independent and SYHA hostels, camping and caravan sites, guest houses and hotels. Details of many places to stay are available from the Tourist Information Centre, or you can call in at any of the many establishments with ‘B&B’ signs outside.

Eating out
Gairloch has everything to offer the hungry visitor, ranging from fish suppers and take-away snacks, to candle-lit dinners and fine menus featuring fish specialities, vegetarian dishes (even haggis!), venison, afternoon teas and traditional Scottish breakfasts. Local fresh produce, especially local seafood, is prominent on many menus. The many comfortable inns, hotels and cafés around the bay stock a good selection of wines, spirits and beers, with one boasting the widest selection of real ales in Scotland! See the Guide to local services, eating out section.

Shopping for provisions
All provisions, including British and foreign newspapers, petrol and camping supplies, milk, fresh bread and meat, fish and vegetables are available locally – as are books, maps, guides, wet weather clothing, local crafts, woollens and souvenirs. See the Guide to local services, shopping section. Public Internet access at broadband speeds is available in several locations, and digital camera cards can be downloaded or transferred to CD at Wordworks near the harbour.