Gairloch North West Scotland

[Janice_5065473]

We are off to Gairloch first week in June and would be interested to hear from anybody who has been to this area & which Route you took. We are leaving on the Tursday afternoon & having a stopover in Moffat (Dumfries) & then two Nights at Bunree (Fort William)- then on to Gairloch. We haven't booked a stopover on the journey back yet (one stopover) - any ideas!

Cheers Jan

 

[Robert_5114463]

Gairloch is a must, the Big Sands site is superb,it also has a fantastic beach. Goolgle it for its web site. And you could also try Ullapool.

 

[Robert_5114463]

Gairloch is a must, the Big Sands site is superb,it also has a fantastic beach. Goolgle it for its web site. And you could also try Ullapool.

Sorry "Google"

 

[Andy_5062145]

Hi Janice, I have spent many a summer holiday there over the years. I love Gairloch. There are some nice pubs, not allot in the way of restaurants, the beach is nice, lovely coloured water, a view over to Skye, lots of fishing (hill lochs), fantastic variety of summer migrant birds (Greenshank, Dunlin, Black and Red Throated Divers to name but a few). You can here the divers calling as they fly over to the sea from the hill lochs during the night. It does not get dark for long up there at that time of year. The scenery is first class with the Torridon mountains as a back drop and plenty of Munros. Lots of easier walking as well. Pool Ewe is close by, which is a beautiful highland village, with the River Ewe running from Loch Maree to the sea, which is an excellant Salmon and Sea Trout river. Inverewe gardens is a must see which is near Pool Ewe. It really is a stunning area of Scotland. One word of warning......you know what I am going to say.....at that time of year the midges are a serious problem. On a humid still night, you just cannot go outside. But if there is a bit of wind it is not too bad. Take plenty of repellant or Nivea's Skin So Soft, better take both. Don't let the little blood suckers put you off. I keep saying to my wife that I want to take the caravan there but she wont do it. By the way, Bunree can be bad for them as well. Lots of single track roads up there. As for routes, I have only ever came in from the Inverness/Black Isle direction. Hope this helps. Andy Bryson.

 

[Janice_5065473]

Hi Janice, I have spent many a summer holiday there over the years. I love Gairloch. There are some nice pubs, not allot in the way of restaurants, the beach is nice, lovely coloured water, a view over to Skye, lots of fishing (hill lochs), fantastic variety of summer migrant birds (Greenshank, Dunlin, Black and Red Throated Divers to name but a few). You can here the divers calling as they fly over to the sea from the hill lochs during the night. It does not get dark for long up there at that time of year. The scenery is first class with the Torridon mountains as a back drop and plenty of Munros. Lots of easier walking as well. Pool Ewe is close by, which is a beautiful highland village, with the River Ewe running from Loch Maree to the sea, which is an excellant Salmon and Sea Trout river. Inverewe gardens is a must see which is near Pool Ewe. It really is a stunning area of Scotland. One word of warning......you know what I am going to say.....at that time of year the midges are a serious problem. On a humid still night, you just cannot go outside. But if there is a bit of wind it is not too bad. Take plenty of repellant or Nivea's Skin So Soft, better take both. Don't let the little blood suckers put you off. I keep saying to my wife that I want to take the caravan there but she wont do it. By the way, Bunree can be bad for them as well. Lots of single track roads up there. As for routes, I have only ever came in from the Inverness/Black Isle direction. Hope this helps. Andy Bryson.

Thanks for this info - really looking forward to this trip now. Not too worried about the Midgies - we are sited next to the Sea so hopefully!!!! they won't be too bad. Will try the remedy you mentioned - I think eating Marmite also helps. The Locals seem to survive them - must ask them what they use. We know about the Roads with passing places, I used to Holiday in Lairg Sutherland - but never towed a Caravan that far north. Can't be any worse than the narrow Lanes of Cornwall & Dorset.

Cheers

Jan

 

[papafulton]

Hi Janice,

Have to agree with Robert and Andy this is a beautiful area. The best way in is to follow the A82 from Bunree through Fort William to Inverness, then take A9 north to Tore R'bout, then left onto A835 to Garve, approx. 1 mile north of Garve turn left onto A832 which will take you to Gairloch. The stretch between Achnasheen and Kinlochewe used to be single track but it was being upgraded when I was last on it so I think it will be 2 lane now with only a very short stretch between Kinlochewe and Gairloch still single track. However don't let this worry you as it is still a good road. Have fun and hope the weather is good to you.

William

 

[Janice_5065473]

Hi Janice,

Have to agree with Robert and Andy this is a beautiful area. The best way in is to follow the A82 from Bunree through Fort William to Inverness, then take A9 north to Tore R'bout, then left onto A835 to Garve, approx. 1 mile north of Garve turn left onto A832 which will take you to Gairloch. The stretch between Achnasheen and Kinlochewe used to be single track but it was being upgraded when I was last on it so I think it will be 2 lane now with only a very short stretch between Kinlochewe and Gairloch still single track. However don't let this worry you as it is still a good road. Have fun and hope the weather is good to you.

William

Thanks for this information William - especially recommended Route. I'm really looking forward to this trip & coming back home to holiday. This is an area, we have contemplating moving to in the not too distant future, so it will be an interesting Holiday.

Cheers

Jan