A Daytrip Around the Applecross Peninsula
A day by car, from Attadale Gardens to Shieldaig.
Written by Graeme Johncock
There’s a lot of places to explore in Scotland, hundreds of daytrips to take, but one place that I visit every year. I don’t know exactly what it is that has me heading back to Applecross annually, but I’m not bored of it yet.
The route
Attadale Gardens
An attraction
Lots of people are surprised by how well plants can grow in the northwest Highlands and Attadale Gardens shows that perfectly. The warm, wet weather is perfect for a whole variety of species on the estate, originally built by Donald Matheson at the heart of the clan’s ancestral lands. Perfect for lovers of the botanical world!
About 5 min by car
Lochcarron
An attraction
The main settlement for the surrounding area is Lochcarron, said to be the longest village in Scotland, strung out along the side of the water. I always stop off while heading through to grab a coffee and a snack from The Old Butchers Coffee Shop. It’s some of the best in the Highlands!
More about LochcarronAbout 10 min by car
Strome Castle
An attraction
Don’t be in too much of a rush to get to the main event, take the short detour down a narrow road, park up near the postbox, and you’ll find Strome Castle nearby. Perched on a little crag, this pile of ruins was once home to Clan MacDonnell. It guarded a crucial crossing point on Loch Carron but would see destruction in 1602, during a feud with Clan Mackenzie. After capturing the castle, the Mackenzies blew it up with gunpowder and you can still see huge chunks of masonry lying beside the beach where they landed!
More about Strome CastleAbout 15 min by car
The Bealach na Bà
An attraction
Driving the Bealach na Bà is not for inexperienced or nervous drivers, but it is one of the highlights of Scottish road trips. Meaning the Pass of Cattle, it was the only way in and out of the Applecross Peninsula until 1975. It’s a steep, narrow road with lots of twists, turns and hairpin bends, so take your time and enjoy the journey. The views are incredible all the way up, but it’s especially worth stopping at the viewpoint and going for a wander around the rocks to get the best angle to watch cars struggling up the road!
More about The Bealach na BàAbout 10 min by car
Applecross Inn
A café
Down on the other side of the pass, there’s no better spot to have lunch than the Applecross Inn - my suggestion is always the langoustine! Enjoy the views across the water to Raasay and Skye, it’s one of my favourite places in the world!
About 5 min by car
Applecross Gallery
An attraction
A short distance away lies Applecross Gallery with a big sign promising free coffee! It displays local photographer Jack Marris’ incredible shots of mountains, wildlife and other scenes from around Scotland with prints that you can take home to remember your trip.
About 35 min by car
Sand Beach
An attraction
This large sandy expanse is the simply named “Sand Beach” which has some of the best views out to the west. It’s a great spot for a paddle and a run around the golden sand. You can even see an old croft up on the grass that was partly restored for Monty Halls’ Great Escape TV show!
More about Sand BeachAbout 25 min by car
Shieldaig
An attraction
Carry on around the coastal road, single-track most of the way but with spectacular views, especially as you reach Loch Torridon. Eventually, you’ll reach the tiny loch-side village of Shieldaig. The village was built in the early 1800s to attract people cleared from their homes inland to a life of fishing. The hope was that places like Shieldaig would provide a steady stream of recruits for the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The tall pine trees on the island were actually planted so they could be used as masts for warships! The war was over before they could be harvested, but the fishing village thrived and today it’s the perfect place to stop for the night, giving some incredible sunsets on a clear day!
More about Shieldaig
Make it a weekend
Days that start near Shieldaig.
More days by Graeme
Graeme has written these too.
.jpg)
Photographs by Robert Collins, Michelle Archard, Michael Celentano, Gary Scott-Nicholson, Chrisp and Richard Usher via Google