About two miles out of Mellon Udrigle on the right hand side is the track to the deserted village of Slaggan a return walk of about five miles. Here is pale sand and clear water where otters can sometimes be seen. Both walks provide excellent opportunities for spotting dolphins, otters and varied water birds.
A right turn at the Post Office at Laide takes you down the southerly coastal route to the famous Inverewe Gardens, created by Osgood Mackenzie in the 19th Century, where exotic palms and flowers bloom from the warmth of the Gulf Stream.
Further down this southerly route is Gairloch with fine beaches, a nine hole Golf Course and an award winning Heritage Museum (which has a tearoom), also in Gairloch are general stores, gift shops and a leisure centre. Wildlife cruises, sea fishing, pony trekking and quad bike hire are available (details from the Tourist Information Centre at Gairloch
Telephone: 01445 712130).
Now back to Laide and if you take a left turn at Laide Post Office following a northerly route passing Sand House a few miles further on and gain some height above the sea cliffs, the view over Gruinard Bay opens out with Gruinard Island in the foreground and hallow clear blue waters of the bay shimmering in front of you. The car park and viewpoint at the top of the hill give excellent views over Little Loch Broom to the Scoraig peninsula and the hills beyond. From here towards Dundonnell are the Ardessie Falls which almost tumble onto the road nearby (a short walk to the falls).
Then past the Dundonnel Hotel along the ‘road of destitution’ to Braemore Junction is the Corrieshalloch Gorge which is a mile long and climaxes in the Falls of Measach viewed from a springy suspension bridge. A left turn at Braemore Junction takes you to Ullapool (twelve miles) passing Leckmelm Gardens and Aboretum on the shore of Loch Broom.
In Ullapool is a small Safeways Supermarket plus other food outlets, clothes and gift shops cafes, restaurants and museums. Sea fishing and Sealife cruises to the Summer Isles are available daily except Sundays during May to October.
|
