Rhue and the Riverside – Two Easy Walks by Loch Broom
Two easy walks on the shore of Loch Broom fill a morning in Ullapool.
The first is ten minutes over the turf to the little white lighthouse at Rhue, with the Summer Isles out to sea. The second is the village's own Riverside Paths Walk, two miles round the shore and the mouth of the Ullapool River, where you might see the ferry come in, and perhaps a porpoise. Lunch is at the Ceilidh Place, two minutes' walk from where you finish.
- Time
- About half an hour: ten minutes each way on a turf path of about 600 metres, and time at the point. A short coast walk.
- The path
- A fairly level turf path, with bare rock at the point.
- Where to start
- The small car park at the end of the public road at Rhue, off the A835 north of Ullapool.
- When to go
- All year in daylight.
- Dogs
- On a lead near sheep: this is crofting ground.
- Children
- A short, level walk; hold on to young children on the rocks.
- Toilets
- None; the nearest are in Ullapool.
The walk
Park in the small car park at the end of the public road at Rhue, which leaves the A835 north of Ullapool, beyond Morefield. From there a fairly level turf path leads out to the lighthouse on its rocky point, about 600 metres away, so it's ten minutes each way. It's a small white tower at the mouth of Loch Broom, and the view from it takes in the Summer Isles and the long ridge of Ben More Coigach.
The Stornoway ferry passes close by on its way in and out. This is crofting ground, so keep dogs on a lead near sheep, and watch your footing on the rocks beyond the light, which are slippery when wet. Ullapool's own walks page describes a long shore walk to Rhue from the village, 12 km of rough ground and scrambling that it does not advise for inexperienced walkers.
This short one from the road end is the easy way to the same view. There are no toilets at Rhue.
If it rains
Both walks are low and short, so a shower needn't stop you, though Rhue's point is open to the wind and its rocks are slippery when wet. In heavy rain, walk the riverside paths in waterproofs and go straight to the Ceilidh Place's woodburner.
Afterwards
9 min by car
Ullapool's riverside paths
In Ullapool, 9 minutes' drive from Rhue, the village's Riverside Paths Walk starts at the Clock Tower, where Quay Street meets Argyle Street. Leave the car in one of the village car parks. The walk is a round of two miles, 3.2 km, on easy ground, and takes about an hour. It goes along the shore of Loch Broom to the mouth of the Ullapool River, up the river on a surfaced path, across a wooden bridge and back by the playing fields, where there's a play area. On the way you can watch the ferry and the boats on the loch, and there are ducks and other waterfowl on the river. The village says there's a chance of dolphins or porpoises, and now and then an otter. Dogs are welcome, and the village asks walkers to be mindful of the wildlife. The shore is rough underfoot in places, and there are steps or a slope up to Castle Terrace near the end.
2 min on foot
Ceilidh Place
Lunch
Lunch is at the Ceilidh Place, the long white row on West Argyle Street that is a hotel, café, bar and bookshop in one, 2 minutes' walk from the Clock Tower. Food is served from noon until 8pm, and the café is open from 8am if you'd like a coffee before the walk instead. The café, bar and restaurant all welcome dogs, and there's a woodburner for a wet day. The bookshop opens off the café and is worth a look while you wait. Ring 01854 612103 if you'd like to book. Over Christmas and New Year, check before going.
Before you go
Where to eat
Ceilidh Place, a café in Ullapool.
Cult Cafe, a café in Ullapool.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by Lukas Hendricks and Podróże po Chmurze via Google