Gairloch


 * Not to be confused with Gare Loch, the sea inlet between Helensburgh and the Rosneath Peninsula

Gairloch is a straggling community along the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, with a population of 620 in 2020. The land is hilly and farming isn't very productive, but shellfishing remains a traditional occupation.

Get in
From the south, travel via Inverness then north up A835 towards Ullapool, branching off at Garve for A832 past Loch Maree. This road continues north beyond Gairloch, passing Loch Ewe (with Inverewe Gardens) and Little Loch Broom to rejoin A835 at Corrieshalloch.

Westerbus 700 runs once M-Sa from Gairloch around 8AM via Achnasheen, Strathpeffer and Dingwall to Inverness, taking 2 hr 30 min, and returning to Gairloch around 5PM. Bus 711 sets off around 9AM and goes as far as Dingwall (which has a railway station), returning at 1PM.

Get around
You need a car. There's no local public transport except a school bus: Westerbus 705 runs once on schooldays from Torridon at 7:30AM to Gairloch and returns at 3:30PM.

See

 * The coastline is scenic with wildlife. Right by the harbour, you'll see seals and perhaps even minke whales. To the south is Badachro and Red Point, to the north is Melvaig and the lighthouse.
 * , built in 1912, is on the headland 12 miles north of Gairloch, follow B8021 to the end of the public road at Melvaig. The last couple of miles are private track but you can walk it. The lighthouse is nowadays a B&B, plus the self-catering "Officers' Quarters", so you can't go in or drive up the track except as a booked guest.
 * commemorates those lost in the 1941-45 supply mission to Russia (see below). It's at the end of the lane from Poolewe along the east side of the Melvaig peninsula.
 * , built in 1912, is on the headland 12 miles north of Gairloch, follow B8021 to the end of the public road at Melvaig. The last couple of miles are private track but you can walk it. The lighthouse is nowadays a B&B, plus the self-catering "Officers' Quarters", so you can't go in or drive up the track except as a booked guest.
 * commemorates those lost in the 1941-45 supply mission to Russia (see below). It's at the end of the lane from Poolewe along the east side of the Melvaig peninsula.

Do

 * Fishing: there's a choice of sea-fishing from shore, harbour or boat, or fly-fishing in the nearby lochs and streams.
 * Marine sightseeing tours. Gairloch Marine Life Centre has daily boat trips for wildlife spotting.
 * Golf: Gairloch GC is nine holes. Twice around is 4499 yards, par 62, visitor day ticket £30.
 * Gairloch Highland Gathering is held in late June or start of July, the first Saturday after schools break up. Bands, games, food, drinks, dancing, Highland sports and so on.
 * Rent a boat at Gairloch Boats, for a fee of £50 per hour you can rent a boat for as long as you like and take a self-guided tour around the bay. You can often see shoals of dolphins and seals around the area. You operate the boat by yourself and will have to navigate around much larger vessels with only a radio (which often does not work) and the very friendly staff's phone number, as such, it's not for the faint of heart!
 * Rent a boat at Gairloch Boats, for a fee of £50 per hour you can rent a boat for as long as you like and take a self-guided tour around the bay. You can often see shoals of dolphins and seals around the area. You operate the boat by yourself and will have to navigate around much larger vessels with only a radio (which often does not work) and the very friendly staff's phone number, as such, it's not for the faint of heart!

Buy

 * Buddha by the Sea is an offbeat gift shop in village centre. It has a reasonably sized book store, in addition to a cafe that features a fantastic view of the bay and serves small selection of traybakes and hot drinks.

Eat

 * The Steading Bistro is a coffee shop & cafe open F-W 11AM-5PM.

Drink

 * Bars include The Millcroft and The Old Inn in Gairloch village, and Badachro Inn some miles south. They serve food and may have accommodation.
 * Badachro Distillery makes whisky, gin and vodka. No tours. Lochewe Distillery closed in 2017.

Sleep

 * Sands Caravan & Camping, open April-Oct, is half a mile north of the hostel on B8021 towards Melvaig. Wild camping is also possible, but the weather and the midges are a torment.
 * Inverewe Gardens Camping & Caravanning, open all year, is just south of the gardens along A832.
 * Inverewe Gardens Camping & Caravanning, open all year, is just south of the gardens along A832.
 * Inverewe Gardens Camping & Caravanning, open all year, is just south of the gardens along A832.
 * Inverewe Gardens Camping & Caravanning, open all year, is just south of the gardens along A832.
 * Inverewe Gardens Camping & Caravanning, open all year, is just south of the gardens along A832.

Connect
As of July 2022, Gairloch has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but the signal is very patchy on the approach roads, and there's nothing from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Go north to Ullapool, for ferries to Stornoway on Lewis.
 * South is Torridon and Kylesku, thence to Skye.
 * East takes you via Strathpeffer into more pastoral country around Inverness.
 * North Coast 500 is a driving itinerary that loops through Gairloch.