Gairloch is fifteen miles from the Old Smiddy Guest House and self catering bungalow and
Gairloch is by far the largest of the settlements on this part of the Wester Ross coast, or to be more accurate
Gairloch is a collection of small settlements.
Gairloch harbour is used mainly by small fishing craft and whale watching boats,
although in summer the cruise ships that travel along the west coast may be seen here.
The Gairloch Marine Life Centre and Cruises www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk and Hebridean Whale Cruises www.hebridean-whale-cruises.com and the Glass Bottom Boat www.glassbottomboat.info are three companies that offer trips into the bay in search of wildlife. On the opposite side of the main road is the Flowerdale Estate. Just past the car park is a small shelter where it is possible to purchase a leaflet giving details of the walks on the estate. Many of the paths have recently been upgraded. The path from the car park along the river is relatively flat and suitable for wheelchair access. The Gairloch Pony Trekking Centre www.gairlochtrekkingcentre.co.uk
has been re-located to a site at Red Point.
The road along the south of Loch Gairloch passes through Shieldaig, Badachro and eventually reaches Red Point.
Between Gairloch harbour and the north shore of the loch, called Strath, is a car park which provides an excellent access point for the beach and the old cemetery. There is also a board walk along the sand dunes if walking on sand proves too tiring.