Gairloch
The name Gairloch comes from the Gaelic "ghearr loch", meaning short loch - referring to the relatively short sea loch that runs along the coast here. The population is approx: 500 depending on exactly where you mean by the word "Gairloch" - although there is a defined centre around Strath Square, the surrounding area includes many small communities that functioned as seperate villages for many years.
Gairloch has several hotels, many B&B / Guest house /self catering businesses, and a number of places to eat and shop. There are marine wildlife tours that can be taken from the harbour, and there are a large number of walking opportunities from gentle strolls along Flowerdale to several serious mountain expeditions with only a short car journey required. For longer days out, the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is only 20 miles south of here, and Inverewe Gardens can be reached within about 15 minutes. Each of these have a variety of trails in and around their respective visitor centres, and Beinn Eighe has a selection of walks from ten minutes to a full day's outing.
While you are in the area, and particularly Gairloch itself, tune your car radio to the UK's smallest commercial radio station - Two Lochs Radio (or listen online!)
www.2lr.co.uk
For more information on Gairloch, have a look at the website of the Gairloch Business Assocation by clicking here
Local accomodation details are on the Celtic Fringe website, and there is a tourist information office operated by Gairloch and Loch Ewe action forum as you come into the village, beside the village hall.
WESTER ROSS - "LIVE THE HIGHLANDS"
Latest News Stories
Local Tourism Group in Promotional Drive
The Celtic Fringe Tourism Association, a Wester Ross based tourism group with over 110 members, has recently started a year long drive to pr...Learn more »Wester Ross Nature Reserve wins again!
The renowned Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve has once again been awarded a prestigious European Diploma by the council of Europe. This is the sixth time th...Learn more »“A simply beautiful part of the world. I stayed near Gairloch with my family recently, and we'll certainly be back.”
Jeff Gilberston, Florida