Flowerdale Glen, Gairloch

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A delightful waymarked walk up a sheltered glen to an attractive 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.

Terrain

Mostly easy walking on waymarked paths, rougher near the falls.

Public Transport

Bus to Gairloch.

Start

Car park opposite the turning into Gairloch Harbour. . Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 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 taking the track up the valley, almost immediately bearing right to instead walk along the footpath that runs parallel to it. 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 'Waterfall Walk'.

Stage 2

You'll soon see Flowerdale House over to the left, seat of the Mackenzies since 1738; the house remains a private residence so please respect the owners' privacy. Keep on the path as it curves right, then turn left at the next junction (again signed 'Waterfall Walk'). The path crosses a bridge and boardwalk, and then another bridge. Beyond this follow the main path upriver to reach a track at a 'T' junction. You'll return to this point later; turn left now, cross a bridge over the main river and then turn right, still signed for the waterfall. The path passes a hydroelectric station and then meets a main track - bear right along this.

Stage 3

Keep straight on at the turning area (where another track goes right). Later bear right off the track onto a signed path. You'll now see the Flowerdale Waterfalls ahead - actually two falls known as the Eas Dubh and the Easan Bana. Cross a bridge to reach them. Although not particularly high or big by Highland standards it 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.

Stage 4

There's a really beautiful view back down the Flowerdale Glen to the sea and islands beyond. The route crosses a bridge and then reaches a track at a 'T' junction - note the memorial on the left to the Blind Piper of Gairloch. Turn right to follow the track to a bridge, crossing and then rejoining the outward route at the wide turning area. Turn left here to retrace your steps back towards the start.

Stage 5

Keep retracing steps - forking left off the track onto the path past the hydro, and left over the bridge. At the next junction the outward route came in on the path on the right - ignore this and instead keep ahead, signed for Cherry Tree Hill.

Stage 6

Soon another junction is reached; keep right here, now following apath which was until the nineteenth century the main road to Gairloch from the south. Further on, keep left on the main path at a fork. It soon leads to a DIY store; continue to reach 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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Flowerdale Glen, Gairloch

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Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

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