Wester Ross is synonym for remote, lonely and wild. It's an area of outstanding natural beauty situated between Loch Carron in the south, Loch Broom and Ullapool in the north and Achnasheen in the west. Wester Ross is unspoilt and there are areas where visitors are seldom seen such as the Letterewe Estate north of Loch Maree. Well known and beautiful lochs are loch Torridon, with Liathach in the heart of the huge Torridon mountain range, loch Maree with the Slioch and Beinn Eighe mountain ranges and dozens of other remote lochs in just as many beautiful glens. Wester Ross is also one of the few parts of Scotland which still has (remains of) the old Caledonian forest.

Loch Ewe in Wester Ross seen from Cove

The best way to discover this stunning area is by car. The distances for cycling are quite long unless you are experienced. Driving around in Wester Ross is an adventure on its own. With its many single track roads, huge mountains and breathtaking scenery, Wester Ross provides a picture of Scotland in optima forma. Walking might challenge the adventurer in you but be carefull when entering the remote parts of Wester Ross. A compass, maps and good equipment are essential since the weather can change rapidly and dramatically.

Loch Maree
Loch Maree is 20 kilometers long, lies in the heart of Wester Ross, and is definitely one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland, both from a touristic but also from a historic and wildlife point of view. Loch Maree is the fourth largest fresh water loch in Scotland. Loch Maree contains five large wooded islands and over 25 smaller ones, many of which have their own lakelets. Isle Maree has the remains of a chapel, graveyard, holy well, and holy tree on it, believed to be the 8th century hermitage of Saint Máel Ruba (d. 722), who founded the monastery of Applecross in 672. The same island also contains ancient stands of oak and holly which have been linked with ancient Scottish druids. The A832, starting in Kinlochewe, is the only road in the area and stretches along the south side of the loch. On the north-side of the loch the impressive Slioch mountain casts her reflection over the deep waters, a very step mountain which rises 980 meters above loch Maree. The north side of Loch Maree is part of the Letterewe Estate, formerly owned by a Dutch millionaire.

Beinn Eighe
Just outside Kinlochewe is the Beinn Eighe mountain reserve. It has a visitor centre and two very well maintained trails, a woodland trail and a mountain trail. Both walks pass through the remains of the great Caledonian pine forest. The Scotch Pines are of an outstanding beauty. They are very compact Bonsai-like trees and a walk through this forest is an unforgettable experience. The highest mountain of the Beinn Eighe range is 1009 meters. The views from the top of the mountain trail over Loch Maree and Wester Ross are absolutely stunning and unforgettable.

Loch Ewe Area
Dotted around Loch Ewa are several interesting villages such as Poolewe, Cove and Mellon Charles, all situated on the shores of loch Ewe which is the only north facing loch of Wester Ross. Poolewe is a very lovely village with its own market every tuesday morning. The Poolewe hotel, which serves good dinners, and the Bridge Coffee Shop, owned by two lovely people are highly recommended for a visit.

A white washed cottage at Loch Ewe in Wester Ross

Poolewe is located on the east-side of loch Ewe where the river from loch Maree (only 2 miles away) flows into the loch. With Inverewe Gardens only 500 meters away, Poolewe is a very nice place for a holiday. The b8057 takes you from Poolewe to Cove passing Inverasdale, Naast and Midtown. Cove is where the road ends and at Rubha nan Sasan you can find a war memorial to the crews lost on Russian Convoys. Loch Ewe was used in WWII for naval vessels to assemble before sailing the oceans in convoys. The remains of the gun-emplacements can still be seen, as well as on the other side near Mellon Charles.

Gairloch
Gairloch is a friendly little place situated on the north side of Loch Gairloch. The villag is popular amongst tourists and there are several restaurants and pubs, shops and also boat trips are available from the wee fishing port. A trip very much worth while is to the remote lighthouse of Rubha Reidh. This is a trip not for the faint hearted, the road is spectacular and the views towards the Isle of Skye even more. The reward however at the end of the trip is fantastic. On a clear day there are views towards the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Sky.

Applecross
The Torridon Mountain range acts as stunning backdrop to the village of Applecross which is perhaps most famous of the spectacular road that leads over the mountain pass. The road is called Bealach na Bá which is Gaelic for cattle road and starts at Tornapress where you can find a sign with the following text: "Road to Applecross (bealach na bá). This road rises to a height of 2053 ft. with gradients of 1 in 5 and hairpin bends. Not advised for learner drivers very large vehicles or caravans after first mile." All the more reason to make this trip and enjoy the stunning scenery!

Other places and areas of interest
Loch Broom, Ullapool (ferry port for the Outer Hebrides) and the Corrieshalloch Gorge: a 60 meter deep Gorge overgrown with trees and a 45 meters high waterfall.

 Further Information:

• Find Hotel, Self-Catering and Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Wester Ross
• Wester Ross Official Tourism Site
• Scottish Landscapes Image Gallery
• Abbeys and Castles Image Gallery

View over Loch Ewe towards Poolewe. Loch Ewe is the only north facing loch in the west of Scotland and is used by the Royal Navy for submarine exercises.

Same view, bit further down the road and with the rising moon.

Beinn Eighe Mountain trail. A walk from about 5 hours, which will take you up to about 600 meters with superb views over Loch Maree and Slioch.

The woodland part is also very interesting because of the ancient Caledonian Scottish Pine forest. One of the few remaining parts of the Caledonian forest in Scotland.

Redpoint beach. 12 miles from Gairloch where the road ends at Redpoint farm. Great views towards Skye, Rona and Raasay over The Minch, the sea between the Outer Hebrides and the West Coast.

Loch Maree from the Poolewe side. Inaccessible and no possiblities to walk along the shores of Loch Maree.

View from Laide towards Gruinard Bay and Island. Met a man there who spoke the anglosaxon language called Doric which is still spoken in the east of Scotland. He could easily understand Dutch and German.

Loch Carron seen from the viewpoint at Stromeferry at the A890.

Moon rising over the mountains from Sutherland. Top of Page

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