Lochcarron Retreats

The beautiful village of Lochcarron (Lochcarrann in the native Gaelic) takes its name from the sea loch itself which is long and fjord like. Whitewashed houses stretch along its shores for approx. 2 miles with a scattering of smaller outlying settlements.

The village is the largest in the locality and boasts a number of amenities including two award winning grocery stores, both with petrol pumps; Post Office; cash point; friendly hotel; popular café(s) and bistro; medical centre; library: information & heritage centre and a village hall. On the sporting front the village has its own shinty club, 9 hole golf course and sailing club as well as children’s adventure playgrounds.

The smaller townships of Strome & Ardaneaskan are a few miles towards the mouth the loch and make for a lovely cycle or short drive. Stop off at Lochcarron Weavers in Mid Strome, walk up to the deserted village of Stromemeannach on the hillside above, admire the views further along from the ruins of Strome Castle or take in a spectacular sunset from the bench at the end of the road at Ardaneaskan with Plockton and the Skye’s Cuillin mountains in the distance.

Five miles away at the head of the loch you’ll find Strathcarron with its hotel and train station, one of the stops on the famously scenic Kyle Line and a short distance further on brings you to Carron Pottery and Restaurant and Attadale Gardens.

NORTH

The road north of Lochcarron passes through the small village of Kishorn (6 miles) with views of the Cuillin mountain range on Skye and the imposing Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle), the highest road ascent in Britain. Continue directly on to Shieldaig (8 miles) or follow the Wester Ross coastal trail over the famous Pass and round the Applecross peninsula with its stunning beach at Sand and scattering of crofting townships (37 miles). Beyond picturesque Shieldaig the landscape gives way to the majestic Munro mountains of Torridon, a haven for hillwalkers and climbers (8 miles). The direct route back to Lochcarron is 22 miles

Further north of Torridon, but still accessible as a day trip, are Inverewe Botanical Garden, Gairloch with its sandy beach and Ullapool, a bustling village and ferry port for the Western Isles.

SOUTH

Strathcarron station (5 miles away) at the head of Loch Carron is one of the stops on the world famous Kyle Train Line. The pretty little village of Plockton with its distinctive palm trees is situated at the mouth of Loch Carron (14 miles). Take the back road to Kyle (6miles) through the quaint crofting township of Duirinish or via Balmacara Square with its woodland walk, café and home interiors shop then across the bridge to the Isle of Skye. Its attractions include Talisker Distillery and Dungevan Castle. The Kylerhea/Glenelg ferry is an alternative and memorable short crossing back onto the mainland where you can stop off at the ancient Glenelg brochs, see the Kintail mountains and the renowned Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. The 22 mile journey back to Lochcarron offers stunning views from the south side of the loch.