The seas around Gairloch are home to abundant marine life, you can take a dolphin and whale watching trip from the harbour

With an expansive sandy beaches, spectacular scenery both out to sea and inland and the convenience of shops and attractions in the village itself, Gairloch is a popular destination for many heading to Wester Ross.

One of Gairloch’s main draws for visitors is the aptly-named ‘Big Sand’ beach – a huge, white-sand expanse with a campsite perched on the hillside above the dunes. The beach is popular with families, kayakers and swimmers, being sheltered from the wind by Longa Island just offshore. The beach has wonderful views of the mountains of Skye and Torridon.

Just inland is Loch Maree, Scotland’s fourth-largest loch, surrounded by rugged scenery and with islands forested with ancient pines. It is considered by many to be one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs. Between the 7th and 8th centuries, Máel Ruba (in Irish Monk) arrived here and founded a chapel on Isle Maree, the remains of which are still visible today. The loch was visited later by Queen Victoria, which led to it becoming a popular Victorian destination and a nearby waterfall being named “Victoria Falls”. The loch is of international importance for wildlife, including black-throated diver, otters, dragonflies and salmon.

An 11 mile single-track road winds along the coastline to Red Point, a promontory with a scattered settlement, sandy beach backed by dunes, and a panoramic view of the whole of the entire length of the Isle of Skye. A 7-mile walk from here takes you to Lower Diabaig on the Torridon peninsula – although make sure that you are able to walk back too, as the 45-mile road back to Kinlochewe doesn’t feature a bus service!

Back in Gairloch, for those looking to stay local there is an excellent heritage museum as well as the GARE Centre which provides free leaflets and guides on the area as well as information on bus services, local events and a shop and exhibition gallery.

A few miles to the north of Gairloch lies Inverewe Gardens, featuring towering redwoods, native and exotic plants and even the chance to spot Scotland’s ‘big 5’ – red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals and golden eagles.

There are cafes and local food shops in the village, which we suggest that you make full use of as the nearest supermarket is 55 miles north in Ullapool!

Gairloch makes a great base from which to explore Wester Ross, it’s walking, relaxing on the beach, spotting wildlife or getting to know the history and heritage of the area that you’re looking for. Less ‘remote’ feeling than its smaller neighbours to the north and south, the village benefits from easy access to shops and attractions – yet in no time at all, you can be in the wild landscape feeling like the only person for miles around!