Tourist Information
Lochcarron lies amidst some of the finest scenery in the British Isles and is an absolute paradise for all those who love the great outdoors.
Many people who visit this beautiful area do so to escape from it all, to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and to enjoy the peace and tranquillity and the truly spectacular views - it is an ideal spot for walkers, photographers, and artists.
And, the scenery can be just as spectacular in the winter-time as the photo below demonstrates. This shows the view from Lochcarron golf course with the bulk of "Wellington" in the background, and was taken on a superb still day towards the end of November.
To the immediate north and west lies the Applecross peninsula which is approached via the Bealach na Ba, the Pass of the Cattle, one of the highest roads in Britain. This road climbs from sea level to a height of 2,053 feet, and provides some spectacular views along the way. For those who watched and enjoyed Monty Halls' "Great Escape" series recently on BBC2, the view below should be familiar as his Land Rover was seen several times negotiating the climb up the Bealach.
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A 20-minute walk from the car park at the summit affords some even more magnificent views in all directions, especially towards the Isles of Skye and Raasay to the west.
After negotiating the rugged high-level countryside on the approach, one's arrival back at sea level gives the feeling of reaching a haven of peace and tranquillity. Applecross village is a very pretty little place, and once again there are some superb views across the Inner Sound to Raasay and Skye.
A little further to the north and west are the Torridon Hills, always a favourite area for walkers and climbers, and the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. Further north still are beautiful Loch Maree, and Gairloch with its lovely white sandy beaches and links' golf course. Travelling further up the coast from Gairloch one reaches Inverewe Gardens which, despite being on a latitude more northerly than Moscow, contain exotic plants from all over the world, courtesy of the Gulf Stream.
To the south and west are Loch Alsh and the new Skye Bridge, and the magnificent scenery of Glenelg (with its Pictish brochs) and Kintail. The Skye Bridge, now toll-free much to everyone's relief, provides easy and quick access to the whole of the Isle of Skye, and day trip tours to the various parts of the island are easily achievable from Lochcarron. For those who prefer the idea of a traditional crossing from the mainland to Skye, Glenelg still has a ferry service crossing over the sea to Skye, running during the summer months.
A little further south around the coast from Glenelg, the view below shows the entrance to Loch Hourn as seen from the road leading round to Arnisdale. This road also passes the track leading down to Sandaig, the former home of Gavin Maxwell and his otters, Mijbil and Edal, made famous in his book "Ring of Bright Water".
Nearer to Lochcarron are the pretty villages of Shieldaig and Plockton, the latter being the location for the "Hamish MacBeth" TV series. To the surprise of many people, palm trees can be seen growing on the water front in Plockton, courtesy of the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.