Glen Torridon via Achmelvich Beach and Gairloch

[walk aboot]

A few mates and I headed up North a bit and West a bit for a few days. First stop was Achmelvich Beach in Sutherland.

Achmelvich Beach

The hostel and a caravan/campsite at Achmelvich Beach are within a few minutes walking distance of the wee gem. I was tempted to go for a swim until I saw the jellyfish .

Achmelvich Beach Hostel

Jellyfish

The campsite had a chippie of all things , so while the other hostellers were serving up the usual camp/hostel food e.g. supernoodles and tinned hot dogs, we sneaked across the way and tucked into fish suppers .

The next day we took a long walk in the rain, rain, rain and went to see Ardvreck Castle at Loch Assynt. We spied two golden eagles near the Loch (a female and a smaller male, I think).

Ardvreck Castle

Loch Assynt

We then headed for Kylesku Bridge and followed the 'coastal route' back to Lochinver.

Kylesku Bridge

Kylesku Bridge View

Lochinver is about 3 miles from Achmelvich Beach, and it's where you go to sample the famous 'pies by post' - all kinds of fillings, from rhubarb to beef stroganof (£47 for a minimum order of 10 pies including postage). There are a family of otters at Lochinver apparently (didn't see them ).

Lochinver Pie Shop

Lochinver Pie

The next day we stopped off at Ullapool for a bite to eat en route to Gairloch.

Ullapool Harbour

At Gairloch we had booked a whale-watching trip (great value for £40, recommended , I'll post the details at the end). It was brilliant fun whizzing around for a couple of hours, to the North end of Skye . We didn't see any whales, just common seals mainly, but I was still chuffed to bits to see puffins, gannets and great skuas at sea .

Walk Aboot the Whale Watcher

Common Seals on Skye

Sammy the Resident Seal at Gairloch Harbour

The hostel and a neighbouring caravan/campsite at Gairloch are also within easy walking distance of a beach. Both are a few miles outside Gairloch proper, but it's a lovely walk if you are heading there for something to eat and/or a couple of drinks in the evening. The campsite has bikes for hire, and I would definitely of hired one if we had been staying another day or two (great place for cycling ).

Gairloch Hostel

Beach at Gairloch Hostel/Campsite

On our final day we headed to Torridon. We walked through Glen Torridon to the Lochan Coire Mhic Fhearchair (Corrie of the Son of Farquhar - it's mine 'cause my Clan's Farquharson ) and it was a fantastic walk!!!

Liathach

Glen Torridon

I was really impressed with the path (don't know if it was the National Trust or European funding that did such a good job - saw signs about both on the roadside).

Glen Torridon Path

Glen Torridon Waterfall

Perfect spot at the Lochan, just perfect .

Coire Mhic Fhearchair

Again Coire Mhic Fhearchair

Beinn Eighe @ the Lochan

[walk aboot]

Nick Davies @ Hebridean Whale Cruises in Gairloch:

http://www.hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk/

Well worth doing, brilliant value and fun (very popular though, so book in advance if you can).

[HighlandSC]

A nice tour there

I went on a boat trip from Gairloch in 2006. We didn't go far out that day due to poor weather (the boat nearly never went at all!).
Spotted Jaws (basking shark):

Gairloch - July 06

And this - do you know what it is?

Gairloch - July 06

[walk aboot]

I think that might be a great skua too HighlandSC. Was it flying near to or over your boat? They're not shy, pretty aggressive.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatskua/index.aspx

[HighlandSC]

Cheers it does look to be a great skua. Yep, it was flying over our boat for a while - swooping agressively over us and coming VERY close to the passengers heads!

[soulminer]

Stayed up in Lochinver- 17/23 July, had a great holiday. Visited Achmelvich beach on two previous occasions, a great spot!! there are a few more beaches just as stunning at Clachtol and Clachnessie.
We opted for the R.I.B trip from Ullapool to Isle St Martin,Cathedral cave and the Summer Islands- brilliant

[walk aboot]

Cheers it does look to be a great skua. Yep, it was flying over our boat for a while - swooping agressively over us and coming VERY close to the passengers heads!

Apparently if you stick your fingers in the air they will bite them

Stayed up in Lochinver- 17/23 July, had a great holiday. Visited Achmelvich beach on two previous occasions, a great spot!! there are a few more beaches just as stunning at Clachtol and Clachnessie.
We opted for the R.I.B trip from Ullapool to Isle St Martin,Cathedral cave and the Summer Islands- brilliant

Sounds like another good boat trip soulminer

[magicdin]

Fine report WA - Gairloch and Achmelvich are two of the best hostels
And what a terrific area
Lochinver Pies - mmmmmmmmmmm

[walk aboot]

Thanks magicdin .

Yup, terrific places...and pies .

[malky_c]

Mmmm...Achmelvich beach and the Lochinver pie shop. Two of my favourite places to visit in that area!

[mountainstar]

I must look around this site a bit more....just found this TR and your Snowdon TR (welcome to Wales again, you probably passed within 2 miles of my house)
If you're in the Gairloch area again, try the hostel at the lighthouse, its brilliant.
Good reports again....as usual

[Caberfeidh]

If you're in the Gairloch area again, try the hostel at the lighthouse, its brilliant

Which lighthouse?

[mountainstar]

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/gairloch/melvaig/index.html
Rubha Reidh, you keep going on that road past the YH for about another 5 miles to the end of the road.
Long way from the pubs though

[walk aboot]

Thanks mountainstar

There was just too much to see and try and fit in this trip, so I'll definitely be going back and checking out the lighthouse then .

[Scotjamie]

A really enjoyable report walkaboot. Spent 3 weeks all over this area in mid 70s and this brings much of it back, apart from the Skuas.....the whales.....the pies.....and there was no sign of that lesser spotted red and black google-eyed whale watcher in JanetJPG. great - many thanks