Torridon Walk

Just 90 minutes from Inverness…

It is not an exaggeration to say that the west Coast of Scotland is one of the most perfect locations on earth. Steeped in history and with staggering rugged landscapes of sea, loch and mountains, the area of Wester Ross is food for the soul. The route from Inverness is often listed as one of the most spectacular drives in the world with ever changing lighting that makes no two days ever the same. A godsend for artists and photographers the immediate surroundings of the house but also the nearby area is one of stunning beauty.

Locally

Shieldaig itself is one of the most picturesque small villages in the Highlands. Built during the napoleonic wars ‘Shieldaig’ means herring bay. Indeed fishing remains a staple within the village. With a hotel, pub, restaurant, shop, cafe and smoke house the village feels far from isolated with everything you could want close to hand. Shieldaig Adventures offers kayaking and guided tours. At the back of the house there is a tennis court owned by the community but available at a small charge. Occasional live music is also available in both the local pub but also in the local community hall, as well as further afield at Torridon and Lochcarron.

An Cos (centre of picture)

Incredible walks are all around but even without a car the Aird path leads from the back gate of the house across a stunning peninsula where you can see the Torridon mountains, Loch Shieldaig, Loch Torridon and across the Minch to Harris and Lewis.

Both within the village and in nearby Torridon there is a wealth of outdoor activities on offer including tennis, fishing, kayaking, guided walks and even archery.

The Aird Peninsula, Shieldaig

View into the Loch at the Triple Buttress

Further Afield

Nearby Torridon, nestled at the base of towering Liathach, is a beautiful small village with a charming cafe, art gallery and restaurant with wonderful views. It also houses the world class Torridon Hotel and Bo and Muc Brasserie. For fine dining there is the 1884, a 3-AAA rosette restaurant. The Torridon Hotel offer excursions and adventures from the front of the hotel including mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and guided fishing.

Diabaig just beyond Torridon offers the charming restaurant Gille Brighde and an incredible cove surrounded by the most ancient rocks made of Lewisian Gneiss, rock which is 2.4 billion years old. Be warned the road is quite spindly! But it is a perfect place for a cup of tea, meal, or a drink particularly at sunset.

Diabaig

The area is renowned for its extraordinary walks, and challenging climbs, all amongst the most amazing scenery. Walk Highlands offers you guided routes of varying terrains and difficulty, all with clear instructions of the route.

Beinn Damph

Applecross village with the Applecross Inn and Walled Garden Cafe is a beautiful drive either by the coastal route or by the stunning Bealach Na Bar. The Bealach is a winding high altitude mountain road that was the original and only route through to Applecross village across the top of the Applecross peninsula until the coast road was built – also a beautiful drive. The view point at the top of the Bealach drive offers stunning sight across the whole of the Outer Hebrides including Rum, Eigg, Sky, Harris and Lewis. At the gateway to the Bealach is the beautiful Bealach cafe and gallery with wonderful lunches, cakes and art on offer…plus a view of the stunning and imposing gateway to the Bealach. Near the Bealach cafe is the Kishorn Fish Bar listed as one of the top ten fish restaurants in the UK by The Times newspaper.

Beinn Bhan

Locharron just beyond Kishorn has restaurants and a crafts shop plus a beautiful gallery. Beyond the village, around the loch, you can find the wonderful Attadale gardens.

But the Torridon mountains are the star of the show and provide the unique vista that makes Wester Ross so special. Everything from challenging climbs to short walks and even drives are all enhanced by the incredible and unique mountains framing the breath-taking scenery For the experienced hikers and climbers, there are nine Munroes (mountains over 3000 feet); for those less adventurously-inclined, there are a huge number of gorgeous hiking opportunities up less strenuous hills, or alongside rivers, lochs and coast.

For more excitement there are stunning sandy beaches, boat trips and access to the outer Hebrides by boat from Sky or Ullapool.

Recreational boat trips from Gairloch offer sightings of sunfish, common dolphins, fin whales, basking sharks, minke whales, otters and seals. even occasional orcas and humpback whales. Gairloch, too, also has beautiful beaches.

Hugely popular too is the NC500 a 500 mile drive around the North of Scotland taking in so much of what is to be seen across this unique part of Scotland. The NC500 also has its own website.

For detail on hiking routes and options the Walk Highlands website and app offer great tips, advice and routes.