Book one of our Gairloch hotels and explore the spectacular countryside around the village, which offers endless opportunities for walking and exploring, from serious mountain treks to gentle coastal strolls. Look out for whales, dolphins, basking sharks, otters, seals, sea eagles, porpoises and hundreds of seabirds.
Beaches
White-sanded and with sparkling blue water, the secluded beach at Gairloch is surrounded by mountains and moorland and is quite beautiful. The beach is safe and good for families, and has excellent views of the nearby islands. There's also the Big Sand beach, just north of the town, which is sheltered from the wind by dunes and Longa Island. Whale-watching, sea-fishing and glass-bottomed boat trips are run from Gairloch harbour, and you can hire kayaks from the Sands Caravan and Camping site.
Things to do
Despite its tiny size – the population of the whole parish is less than 1, 000 people – Gairloch is packed with things to do. Gairloch Leisure Centre has a sports hall with four courts, a climbing wall, a fitness room, an all-weather pitch, outdoor tennis courts and a soft play area. There's a swimming pool in nearby Poolewe. Gairloch Golf Club's nine-hole course looks down onto the beach, so you'll enjoy beautiful views while you're playing.
At Gairloch Heritage Museum, you can learn all about the history of the village. There are ancient tools and fishing boats on display, equipment from the nearby Rudha Reidh Lighthouse, and a Pictish stone thought to have been carved between 500 and 700AD. You can also see what life was like in the croft house, the school and the village shop.
There's a local produce market in the village every Thursday from April to October, with freshly baked bread, smoked fish, homemade cakes, handmade truffles, tablet and much more on sale.
Inverewe Garden and Estate
Created in 1862, this world-famous sub-tropical garden at the edge of Loch Ewe, a short drive from the village, is full of colourful plants and trees from around the world. Here you'll find rare Wollemi pines – the most northerly in existence – Himalayan blue poppies, Tasmanian eucalypts and rhododendrons from China and the Indian subcontinent. The warm currents of the Gulf Stream and the 100-acre woodland planted to shelter the garden by its creator Osgood Mackenzie mean the plants can grow here despite the cold.
Eating and drinking
For fresh seafood, Highland game, home-baked bread and live folk music, head to the award-winning Old Inn, a traditional coaching inn next to the harbour. The inn has its own microbrewery and serves Scottish and English real ales as well as its own home brews. Lunches, homemade scones, cakes and coffee are served at the friendly Gairloch Pantry, and you can admire the artwork on the walls. The menu at The Sheiling features a good range of classic dishes, including Scottish seafood and steak, and an impressive selection of desserts. Come here for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner and enjoy panoramic views of the loch.
