A delightful waymarked walk up a sheltered glen to a pretty waterfall. The Flowerdale Glen was given its English name by the Mackenzies of Gairloch (the owners of the estate) after its impressive displays of wild flowers.
Summary
Mostly easy walking on waymarked paths. The return route from the waterfall is boggy in places (boots recommended) but this section can be omitted by rejoining the outward route where mentioned in the description.
Terrain
Car park opposite the turning into Gairloch Harbour.
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1. Turn off the main road in Gairloch into a car park opposite the turning for the harbour. The fine Old Inn is situated just across the old bridge over the river here. Don't cross the bridge, instead following the track up the valley, forking right onto the footpath at the signpost. The path passes a pond with many varied trees and rhododendrons. Ignore the signed route off to the left ('Arboretum Circular') instead keeping straight on, signed for 'Flowerdale waterfall'.
2. You'll soon see Flowerdale House over to the left, seat of the Mackenzies since 1738. Keep on the path, turning left at the next junction (marked with a red marker on the fence). The path crosses a bridge, and then goes through a gate (another red marker). Cross over a second bridge, and then turn left once more when you reach a 'T' junction. You are now adjacent to a riding school; turn right at the signpost for Flowerdale Waterfall - again marked in red. The more complicated section is now behind as the path runs beside a lovely tree-fringed burn. Soon it emerges onto a track; bear right (again marked red).
3. Keep straight on at the turning area (where another track goes right), then bearing right off the track onto a path by a red-marked post. You'll now see Flowerdale Waterfall ahead, and cross a bridge to reach it. It isn't particularly high or big by Highland standards, but is an attractive spot. The path becomes a bit rougher here as it climbs up the slope to the left of the falls. Above the waterfall the glen is barer and the path soon reaches another bridge. Cross this and follow the path back down the far side of the stream.
4. There's a really beautiful view back down the Flowerdale valley to the sea and islands beyond. The route crosses a bridge (waymarked in red) and then reaches a track at a 'T' junction. If you don't have waterproof footwear, turn right here to rejoin your outward route as the continuation is a little boggy. Otherwise, turn left and follow the forest track, which has more good views of the valley below.
5. Soon you'll reach a bridge leading off the track to the right, and waymarked in blue. Cross this and follow the waymarkers down the hill. The path here is less well defined and is boggy in parts, but there are plenty of blue marker posts and the countryside is very attractive. When you reach a bigger, surfaced path, turn left along it very briefly before turning right up the hill onto another small path (blue markers). This curves round through woodland rich with bluebells in spring, before looping back leading back onto the bigger path. Turn right onto it.
6. Keep right and go through the gate. You are now on a path which was until the nineteenth century the main road to Gairloch from the south. It soon leads to a DIY store and then the Old Inn. Pass round the front of the Inn (if not going in for a drink!) and cross the old bridge back to the car park.
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