Gruinard and Little Loch Broom Laide, Mellon Udrigle, Badluarach Dundonnell, Badrallach, Scoraig Sightseeing & Local walks Accommodation: B&B, Hostel, Self Catering Cottages

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

The old church and burial ground at Laide is a very early Christian site. One of the caves near the village was used as a place of worship until the end of the last century. Old Duncan Matheson who died aged 93 was the last baby to be baptised there when his family were driven off Priest Island due to extreme hardship, and landed at Coast, where they lived in their upturned boat until they built a house.

From the viewpoint overlooking Gruinard Bay

As you leave Laide and gain some height above the sea cliffs, the view over Gruinard Bay opens out before you with Gruinard Island in the foreground and many of the hills to the far north of Scotland beyond.

Gruinard beach

There are safe, sheltered sandy beaches with car parks at Mellon Udrigle and Gruinard. Slaggan Beach is a secluded sandy beach at the end of a rough track. The road twists up to the top of Gruinard Hill before dropping down to the sands of Gruinard Bay, where the Inverianvie River meets the sea. Continuing through this rocky terrain, the road crosses the Gruinard River and passes Gruinard House before climbing inland again. The car park and viewpoint at the top of the hill gives excellent views over Little Loch Broom to the Scoraig peninsula and the hills beyond.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

The A832 road follows the lochside past Ardessie Falls to Dundonnell then winds its way up the gorge to the Destitution Road (built after the 1851 potato famine to provide employment and relieve suffering) over the wild Fain and past the Fannichs, before dropping once again to Braemore junction. The journey from Laide to Dundonnell (14 miles/23 km) takes about 20 minutes, and it is the same distance again to reach Braemore junction. An Teallach from Destitution Road

Near the junction of the A832 and the main road leading to Ullapool, Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach are in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. There is a footbridge over the deep gorge with a waterfall. A car park can be found on the A832 side of the gorge.

Opinan & Mellon Udrigle 4 miles/6.5 km (10 minutes) from Laide
The minor road from Laide follows the coast for a mile then heads inland to Achgarve, and passes Loch na Beiste (Loch of the Beast) to Mellow Udrigle beach. The road continues another mile to the coast at Opinan.

Looking north-eastwards over Mellon Udrigle beach

Badluarach 3 miles/5 km (5 minutes) from Badcaul
As the road begins to drop down to Little Loch Broom from the carpark and viewpoint, you can turn left at Badcaul along the minor road to the road end at Badluarach.

Badrallach 7 miles/11 km (15 minutes) from Dundonnell
As you leave Dundonnell and head up to the Fain, a minor road turns left and crosses an old bridge to Dundonnell House. It then takes a sharp right hand turn up through a plantation and under the cliffs. At the highest point a path leads over to Loch Broom. The road continues down again almost to Little Loch Broom at Badrallach where a footpath leads to the end of the peninsula at Scoraig, home to an isolated community of people.

Laide (lay-d) Broad Slope Laide of Udrigil in the old days (Gaelic) Mellon Udrigle (melon-oodrigil) Little Hill of Udrigle (Gaelic) Gruinard (grin-yard) Shallow Firth (Norse) Badluarach (bad-loo-rach) The Clump of the Rushes (Gaelic) Dundonnell (dun-dawn-el) Donald's Fort (Gaelic) Badrallach (bad-rawl-ach) Oak Clump (Gaelic)

Laide Shop and Post Office Petrol station Hotel Restaurant Caravan & camping park Small jetty Badluarach Shop Post boat to Scoraig

Camusnagaul Hostel Dundonnell Petrol station Hotel Badrallach Campsite Bothy

Here are just a few of the many interesting walks in the area. Most are on good paths or tracks. Map required: OS Landranger Series Sheet 19. Slaggan from track end (just past Achgarve) Inverianvie River from car park at Gruinard Beach Gruinard River and Loch na Sealga from Gruinard Bridge Shenevall and Achneigie from the car park at Corrie Hallie Lochivroan from the Loch a' Bhraoin track end (on the Fain) Allt na h-Airbhe from the highest point on the road to Badrallach

Shanti Griha Retreat Centre
Scoraig Peninsula
Dundonnell
Wester Ross IV23 2RE
Tel: 01854 633 260
Email: shantigriha@hotmail.com
Please see www.shantigriha.com for our annual programme or request a brochure for a description of our residential courses in Yoga, Buddhism and Meditation, Thai Massage, Tai Ji, Windpower, Dry Stone Dyking, Vegetarian Cooking, and Astrology.

Old Smiddy Guest House Laide By Achnasheen Ross-shire IV22 2NB Tel: 01445 731696 or 07802 543 741 Email: oldsmiddygh@aol.com Web site
A warm welcome, delicious home cooking and lovely views await you in this former blacksmith’s house. 1 en-suite double, 1 double with private facilities, 1 en-suite superking double/twin. Hospitality trays, TV, hairdryers, electric heating, electric blankets, bathrobes and slippers in all rooms. Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars. Evening meals available. B&B from £30 per person.

Mrs Annabell MacIver The Sheiling Achgarve Laide Ross-shire IV22 2NS Tel: 01445 731 487 Email: stay@thesheilingholidays.com Web site
4 Star Bed and Breakfast: 2 ensuite bedrooms (double & twin) with TV. Prices from £30 per person. Open all year. Genuine Scottish hospitality. Peace and tranquillity. 1.5 miles north-west of Laide. Guest lounge with panoramic views across open countryside towards Gruinard Bay. Self catering also available.

Mrs A. Mackenzie Fraoch Eilean Croft Second Coast Laide Wester Ross IV22 2NF Tel: 01445 731228 Email: contact@eileanview.com Web site

Fraoch Eilean Croft offers quality accommodation in Wester Ross, on the scenic West Coast of Scotland. Facilities include - 3 bedrooms (sleeps 5). Bath, overhead electric shower, shaver point. Gas cooking / heating, and electricity all included in the price. Comfortable Lounge / Dining area with selection of books, videos, Sky TV & DVD, opening to patio with Barbecue and seating. Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars. Non smokers. No extra costs - all linen, towels & heating included. Due to the fact that this is a working croft - No Dogs, please!

Sail Mhor Croft Hostel
Dave & Lynda Neville
Camusnagaul
Dundonnell
Ross-shire IV23 2QT
Tel: 01854 633224
Fax: 01854 633224
Email: dave.lynda@sailmhor.co.uk
Web site
Friendly welcome at family-run, cosy hostel. Bunkhouse accommodation for 16 either as groups or as individuals. 2 / 4 / 8 - bed bunkrooms. Prices from £11 (self catering) or £15 (with breakfast) per person per night. Open all year. Member of Scottish Independent Hostels Association. Halfway between Gairloch & Ullapool on A832. Perfect location for climbing some of Scotland's finest mountains, Near An Teallach, coastal walks and beautiful unspoilt beaches.