
Lochcarron & Strath Bran
Garve, Achnasheen, Glencarron
Sightseeing - Crafts - Shops
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Known as one of Scotland's most scenic railway lines, the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh operates several times a day (except Sundays) and follows most of the main road which cuts across the country from east to west. It is along that road where you begin your tour at Garve, 25 miles from Inverness.
| The first part of your journey serves as an introduction to the North West Highlands, taking you along the new road through remote Strath Bran beside the meandering River Bran and the railway line to Kyle of Lochalsh. This area is characterised by wild, open moorland where large herds of Red Deer can be seen in winter. | ![]() near Achnasheen |
Achnasheen is a remote village formed beside the railway station with a pleasant picnic area for a stop in your journey. The drive from Garve to Achnasheen is 16 miles/26 km (20 minutes).
![]() Glen Carron |
Turning left at Achnasheen follow the A890 along the full length of Glencarron to the shores of Loch Carron. The hills on either side of the glen provide excellent walking and climbing with stunning views in all directions. Many hill tracks lead through passes to remote adjoining glens and provide less strenuous but just as rewarding walks. |
The annual Lochcarron Highland Games take place at Attadale on the third Saturday in July. Many other events take place locally throughout the year.
The drive from Achnasheen to Lochcarron is 26 miles/42 km (40 minutes).The main road out of Lochcarron quickly gains height, but soon drops down again to the village of Kishorn with views over Loch Kishorn to the Applecross Hills. On the road from Lochcarron to Shieldaig, look out for the Rasaal Ashwood (protected wood and limestone flora in the area beside the gorge).
Many lairds created coastal settlements for their tenants, who were dispossessed from the straths and glens. So villages such as Strathcarron were populated by people who were encouraged to live off fishing instead of farming.
| Set up in about 1800, the old fishing and crofting township of Lochcarron is a long narrow village directly beside the shore of Loch Carron, with views across the loch to the hills in the south. It has enough amenities to make it a good base for more detailed exploration of the surrounding area. The Smithy Heritage Centre tells the story of the village and its people (open from 10am - 5.30pm, Monday-Saturday, April-October, free entry, donations welcome). | ![]() Lochcarron |
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Images produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
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Applecross - 18 miles/29 km (45 minutes) from Lochcarron
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![]() View from the top of the pass |
![]() Applecross Hills from Kishorn |
The tranquil village of Applecross was one of the earliest seats of Christianity in Scotland and provides a contrast to the rugged mountain scenery. You may see eagles, otters and other wildlife here. The Potting Shed is a restaurant in the original walled garden of Applecross House. The campsite has a cafe where you can get meals. The Inn here is famous for its seafood. Situated next to the church, the Applecross Heritage Centre is open from Easter - end October, Monday - Saturday from 12 noon - 4pm. |
You can return from Applecross by the same road over the pass or continue north along the (easier) coast road which takes you to Shieldaig.
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Strome - 4 miles/6.5 km (15 minutes) from Lochcarron
Continue west along the road by the shore from Lochcarron to Stromemore where at one time the ferry ran across the loch. You can visit the ruins of 14th-century Strome Castle (now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland) and return by the same route. |
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Achnasheen
Shops and Post Office Telephone
Kishorn
Craig
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Lochcarron
Shops and Post Office Petrol stations and garages Telephone & toilets Hotels & restaurants Lochcarron Heritage Centre (phone 01520 722 246) 9 hole golf course (2 miles outside Lochcarron) Tourist information centre (phone 01520 722 357) Applecross
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Gairloch Walks
- route descriptions, photos and online maps |
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Kenny Murray
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Conducted tours of Wester Ross & Skye with local guide, in a comfortable modern vehicle. Numerous itineraries, personal attention, maximum of six people. Also available for private hire, airport and train transfers, and weddings. No smoking. Open all year. |
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5 Bells Diving
We are a diving business primarily in the recreational market offering Diver Education, Diving Experience and Diving Equipment to the general public. We can provide training from novice to professional level. For qualified divers we can supply rental equipment, air refills and boat trips. Open all year. |
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Landscapes For Every Mood
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Landscapes For Every Mood is a collection of landscape photographs of the North-west Scottish Highlands taken by Gordon C Harrison. The images are available as fine art prints, photographs, mounted and framed, on greetings cards and appear in Gordon’s Wester Ross Calendar. All these products are available to purchase from my website as well as in outlets throughout Wester Ross from Plockton in the south to Ullapool in the North. |
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Kishorn Shop
Kishorn Strathcarron Wester Ross IV54 8XB Tel: 01520 733388 Fax: 01520 733344 Groceries, wines, spirits, newspapers & magazines, ice cream, postcards, garden supplies, collectors' postcards. Call and see us for local information (B&B and self-catering). |
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Kishorn Seafood Bar
Vivienne Rollo Kishorn Strathcarron Ross-shire IV54 8XA Tel: 01520 733 240 |
Nestling between Lochcarron and Shieldaig at the foot of the Applecross hills with beautiful views of Skye. Take a break from the ordinary. We have a wide range of fresh local shellfish simply cooked to eat in or for sale to take home. Also tasty snacks. Children welcome. Bring your own wine. |
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Maciver Shellfish
Tigh a' Chracaich Kenmore By Shieldaig Ross-shire IV54 8XH Tel / Fax: 01520 755367 Email: derrick@maciver-shellfish.co.uk |
Fresh Local Shellfish:
Fresh & Dressed Crab - Langoustine Prawns - Squat Lobster Tails
- Lobster - Scallops - Traditional Smoked Salmon.
We also offer Bed & Breakfast with Evening Meals (seafood a speciality!) Located on the Applecross coast road. See our web site. |
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Steve and Susan Plowman
The Studio Highland Line Achnasheen Ross-shire IV22 2EE Tel: 01445 720227 Email: susanplowman@hotmail.co.uk |
The Studio is very different from other craft shops as it incorporates a jewellery workshop where you can watch Susan Plowman working at her bench.
Complementing the jewellery, the shop also offers visitors a comprehensive choice of quality, contemporary crafts. Exclusive hand-woven Harris Tweed jackets, ceramics, prints and books.
Visit our web site for more details. |
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Lochcarron Hotel
Main Street Lochcarron IV54 8YS Tel: 01520 722226 Fax: 01520 722612 Email: enquiries@lochcarronhotel.com Web site |
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| Family-run hotel in superb loch-side position. Excellent a la carte restaurant using only fresh local produce. The restaurant has stunning views across the loch. Friendly traditional Highland lounge bar with a selection of some 60 malt whiskies, as well as traditional ales and regular live music acts. | |
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Ledgowan Lodge Hotel
Ledgowan Achnasheen Ross-shire IV22 2EJ Tel: 01445 720 252 Fax: 01445 720 240 Email: info@ledgowanlodge.co.uk Web site |
Originally built as a shooting lodge, this family-run hotel is ideally situated for the tourist or walker with the emphasis always on hospitality and a friendly welcome. Award-winning restaurant and well-stocked wine cellar and cockail bar. |
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Rockvilla Hotel
Peter and Wendy Bartlett (Resident Proprietors) Main Street Lochcarron Ross-shire IV54 8YB Tel: 01520 722379 Fax: 01520 722844 Email: enquiries@rockvilla-hotel.co.uk Web site |
Set in a dramatic village setting overlooking loch and mountains, the Rockvilla Hotel provides:
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Andrew & Emma MacKenzie
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| Loch Dubh is a newly built spacious croft house set in 8 acres of working croft land. It stands in an elevated south-facing position on open hillside above the village of Lochcarron and has stunning views over Loch Carron, looking towards the mountains to the south. We offer superb luxury Bed & Breakfast accommodation with full en-suite facilities in all rooms. The property is fully centrally heated. There is ample parking space and disabled access. All food is either home-grown on our own croft or sourced locally. We have our own 1,600 square metre fly-only trout loch and can provide advice and directions on local trout fishing in the area. A gillie/guide is available. We have a boat available for sea fishing and can arrange salmon and sea trout fishing on the Carron River. | |
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Andrew Laing and Susan Nelson
Castle Cottage B&B Main Street Lochcarron Ross-shire IV54 8YB Tel: 01520 722 564 Email: info@castlecottagebandb.co.uk Web site |
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| Comfortable B&B accommodation in the centre of Lochcarron village with magnificent views of the loch and the hills beyond. Within easy walking distance of all local shops, pubs and restaurants. Also an ideal location for walking, fishing, touring or just relaxing. | |
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Tigh a' Chracaich
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| Bed & Breakfast with Evening Meals (seafood a speciality!). Located on the Applecross coast road. Listed in 'le Guide du Routard'. We also provide self catering accommodation. | |
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Visit Lochcarron
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Small local holiday letting agency and website design business providing the following services:
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Craig Cottage
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| Craig Cottage, which has been recently built to a high specification and furnished to an exacting standard, is a luxury self-catering holiday cottage situated near the small township of Kenmore on the beautiful Applecross Peninsula. We also provide B&B at Tigh a' Cracaich | |
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Rita Sykes
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| Detached chalet accommodation in elevated position to the rear of the owner's property. Private access via a flight of steps. One twin bedroom - sleeps 2/4. Well behaved pets welcome by prior arrangement. In village centre within very easy reach of local amenities - pubs, restaurants, etc. Just across the road from the shore of Loch Carron. | |
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Park House & Park Cottage
North Strome Lochcarron Ross-shire IV54 8YJ Contact: Patricia Perry
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Park House and Park Cottage are set in a large garden peacefully situated overlooking the loch. Both houses are comfortable and well equipped. Park House sleeps 6. Park Cottage sleeps 4. It's a perfect base to explore an area of outstanding natural beauty.
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Broom Cottage
Lochcarron Ross-shire Contact: Louise Martin
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Detached bungalow for self catering holidays, located half a mile from Lochcarron village centre. Modern, comfortable property, equipped to a high standard. Sleeps up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin). Pets welcome by prior arrangement. No smoking permitted.
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Island Cottage
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Comfortable and well appointed 4-bedroom self catering holiday cottage in quiet semi-rural location at the west end of Lochcarron village. Sleeps 5 - 6 people. Stands on south-facing hillside with excellent views across Loch Carron. Within approximately 1.5 miles of shops, pubs, filling stations in Lochcarron village. Available to let all year. Well behaved pets welcome by prior arrangement. |
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Stalker's Cottage
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Traditional Highland stone cottage in very quiet rural position in open estate land approximately 1.5 miles east of Lochcarron village. Magnificent views all round. Sleeps 2 people. Within a few minutes' drive of shops, pubs, restaurants, etc. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Excellent base for touring Wester Ross and Skye & Lochalsh. |
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Lochcarron Holiday Properties
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Whether you want a cottage on the seashore, one central to all village amenities, or one where the quiet is breath-taking - we can cater for you. Cosy, comfortable and well equipped. Relax in a home away from home. We look forward to welcoming you! |
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Tassachd
3 Kirkton Avenue Lochcarron IV54 8UE Contact: Mr Alan McVey Tel: 01330 823287 Email: alan.mcvey@btinternet.com Web site |
Comfortable and well-appointed 3-bedroomed self catering chalet bungalow in quiet cul-de-sac in Lochcarron village. Sleeps up to 6 people. In elevated position with excellent loch and mountain views. Well behaved pets welcome. Within a few minutes' walking distance of village centre with shops, pubs, etc. Perfect base from which to tour Wester Ross and Skye & Lochalsh. |
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Contact: Susan Hadden & Jon Howes
Tigh na Creaga Main Street Lochcarron Tel: 01524 702173 Fax: 01524 702515 Email: enquiries@tigh-na-creaga.co.uk Web site |
Very attractive traditional detached 2-bedroomed Highland cottage sleeping up to 4 people. In pleasant loch-side position with superb views to the south. Has open fire and Rayburn cooker. Well behaved dogs welcome. No smoking. Within a few minutes easy walk of shops, pubs, etc. |
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Mrs Moira Mould
Tigh Charrann Croft Road Lochcarron Ross-shire IV54 8YA Tel/Fax: 01520 722992 Email: James.Mould@btinternet.com Web site |
Comfortable 1 bedroom holiday flat, sleeps 2, in quiet village location.
In elevated position on south facing hillside with
superb views across Loch Carron towards Attadale. Few minutes walking
distance from all local amenities. Well behaved dogs welcome.
Please phone for details or visit our web site. |
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Airdaniar Cottage
Callakille Applecross Strathcarron Ross-shire IV54 8XT Tel/Fax: 01520 744320 Email: elsie@applecross-coast.co.uk Web site |
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| A beautifully refurbished croft cottage on the spectacular Applecross coast. Situated in a secure garden of 0.6 acres, the cottage offers superb views over Raasay, Rona and Skye. Visit our web site for further details. | |
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Walkers Lodge Bunkhouse
Ledgowan Achnasheen Ross-shire IV22 2EJ Tel: 01445 720 252 Fax: 01445 720 240 Email: info@ledgowanlodge.co.uk Web site |
Perfectly situated for the hill walker or climber, the lodge is capable of sleeping 12 adults, with its 6 separate rooms having double bunk beds, wash hand basin, chest of drawers and thermostatically controlled heating. Also has 2 bathrooms with large baths and shower attachments, plus a toilet. |
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Fionn Cottage
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Fionn Cottage is a purpose built, architect designed cottage standing in its own grounds with open outlook to front and rear. Please visit our web page for more details. |
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Continue the online tour and
follow the sheep to Torridon........ |
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Also visit www.kishornhighlands.co.uk
This is a non profit making web site for local businesses in the Kishorn area of Wester Ross.
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Last update: April 2009