Wanderings in Wester Ross

The area around Gairloch on Scotland's north west coast has plenty to offer the visitor. Neil Gunn reports.

The road junction at Achnasheen leaves visitors to Wester Ross with a dilemma, do they turn south west and take the road to the Isles and the splendour of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye or north west towards the beaches of Gairloch and the stark grandeur of Torridon?

Choose the latter option and the rewards are immediate. The road leads you from Achnasheen past the shores of Loch a` Chroisg and winds slowly up to more than 800 feet into Glen Docharty. Waiting for you are magnificent views of the imposing slopes of Beinn Eighe and Slioch. The village of Kinlochewe and the sparkling waters of Loch Maree lie ahead.

A visit to Beinn Eighe, Britain's first National Nature Reserve is essential. Set up in 1951 to protect the ancient Caledonian forest west of Kinlochewe it is home to some of Scotland's rarest wildlife, among them pine marten, wildcats and the majestic golden eagle.

The mountain and woodland trails give you the ideal opportunity to enjoy a diverse rang of flora and fauna including Alpine azaleas on the higher slopes. The woodland walk is designed to take about an hour and takes you along the west side of Loch Maree. Choose the longer mountain trail and climb to around 1,800 ft and you will find a stunning view over the loch where on a clear day you can see the summits of 31 Munros (peaks above 3,000 ft).

At Kinlochewe you are again faced with a choice. You can turn south west through Glen Torridon or continue along the side of Loch Maree. Take the lochside road, you can...

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• By : Neil Gunn
• In : Destinations
• Issue : 36
• Page : 54
• Words : 1,021