Torridon to Lower Diabaig Drive

There are a lot of single track roads in Scotland ending in a village, at a beach or lighthouse which offer no other option than to return the way you came. These roads are often overlooked by visitors as they are basically very narrow roads going almost nowhere. And some of these roads ending in the “middle of nowhere” can go on for miles and miles until you sometimes give up and return. Don’t! Good examples are the single track roads into Glen Etive, Rannoch Station, Glen Affric and a few roads on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

These are typically the roads I like to follow, I want to see what’s at the end of a particular road because I know there is often something extraordinary to find. From all these wee single track roads I’ve followed I can safely say that the Torridon to Lower Diabaig road in Wester Ross is an exceptionally beautiful one.

The Village of Torridon

There is only just the one single track road leading to Lower Diabaig and it starts in the lovely village of Torridon. Now don’t be fooled by this nice village situated on the shore of Upper Loch Torridon. When you arrive you probably think is this it? But judging by the size of the village hall you start to doubt. It’s when you continue to drive over that single track road you’ll find out that Torridon is in fact bigger than you think and it’s a beautiful village too. There is a nice circular walking track along the lower parts near the beach where you are likely find Red Deer. This track starts at the Deer Centre. And then there are the beautiful mountains with its many opportunities for longer walks. In the centre of the village is an excellent store with cafe where I can highly recommend the coffee and carrot cake.

The single track road from Torridon to Lower Diabaig is only 9 miles but there is something beautiful around every corner. This road offers some of the most stunning views over the Wester Ross hills. Just after you leave Torridon behind you there is a sign for Torridon House and although the road is private I can recommend the walk, it is lovely. The single track road climbs to an altitude of 100 metres and leads through one of the most beautiful pine forests I have seen in Scotland, they reminded me of the Scots Pines at Loch Maree. Behind Torridon House at the bridge over a burn is a parking space with access to several waterfalls and tracks leading into the hills.

Inveralligin to Lower Diabaig

Continue over the minor road and after a mile or so you have nice views over the village of Inveralligin while on your right the steep slopes of Beinn Alligin are visible. After you leave this village behind you the road starts to climb and after a few hairpin bends you reach the viewpoint at 250 metres called Bealach na Gaoithe. The views over Upper Loch Torridon and the hills of Glenshieldaig and Applecross Forest are without a doubt one of the most stunning in Scotland. Make sure to stop here, take in the views and enjoy the total silence.

The road now continuous and soon you drive along Loch Daibaigas Airde, it is here where you have more stunning views and if you are afraid of heights you might not want to look down on your left. The road is very narrow and very steep in places and if the sign at Bealach na Ba warns that the pass is not suitable for learner drivers I would advise them not to use this road either. After Upper Diabaig, nothing more than a few (farm) houses the road gradually descends towards Lower Diabaig.

Lower Diabaig

Lower Diabaig is nothing more than a nice collection of very lovely cottages dotted on the hill-side along the road which leads eventually down to the pier.

I had this special feeling of remoteness when I walked along the shore towards the pier. The weather was glorious, the sky was blue, there was no wind and there were no people, the place seemed deserted. We didn’t spot a living soul and I had the feeling I was participating in a Stephen King movie. There was an incredible peaceful silence over the place.

Perhaps due to the remoteness this place felt as if I was on an island and mind you, when there is snow in the winter this place is perhaps harder to get to than most islands on the west coast. For me however it was paradise and one of the best days I’ve ever spent in Scotland.