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Things to do in the area
This is one
of the most beautiful areas in West Coast Highlands of
Scotland, with rugged hills sweeping down into a sea
loch and the Isle of Skye’s Cuillin Mountains in the
distance. Many people come here just to relax in beautiful
surroundings and “re-charge their batteries”. Others,
including walkers, climbers, sailors, cyclists, fishermen,
photographers and wildlife enthusiasts want to take
advantage of the many outdoor possibilities available. The
Isle of Skye bridge is under and hour away, opening up
endless possibilities for those wishing to get to know Skye
and it’s many attractions.
Walking
Serious walkers
can get to Torridon, with Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn
Eighe (all over 3000ft) in about half an hour by car. There
are also numerous Munros within easy driving distance. There
are also virtually unlimited local walks in beautiful
country around Lochcarron, Kishorn, Shieldaig and Applecross.
From both Ardoch Cottage and Gracie’s Cottage you can walk
for miles and not see anyone else all day, once you get into
the hills or out on the coastal paths.
Wildlife
The shore in
front of both Ardoch Cottage and Gracie’s cottage has a good
population of wildfowl ,waders (oyster catchers, ringed
plover and turnstones are numerous) and other sea birds
including eider duck, herons, mergansers, terns etc.. Seals
are often visible from the shore, and otters occasionally
make an appearance. In the summer months, you may well see
dolphins and porpoises and hear the black-throated divers
overhead as they fly to feed from their nests on the hill
lochans inland. The Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve is a short
drive away.
Gardens
Attadale
Gardens, opposite Lochcarron, are open to the public, and
well worth a visit by those who appreciate lovely gardens.
The National Trust gardens at Inverewe are world famous, and
are under 2 hours drive from Kishorn.
Restaurants
The Applecross
Inn (about 40 minutes along a particularly scenic route) has
won several awards for it’s good food, and is reliably good.
There are several good pubs and restaurants in Plockton
(about 40 minutes) and, nearer to home, the Kishorn Seafood
Café is well worth the walk.
For special
occasions we are fortunate in being within driving distance
of some very good and well known places to eat. The Loch
Torridon Hotel (about ˝ hour) was rated one of the U.Ks best
ten restaurants of 2003 by the Telegraph, and the
Tigh an Eilean Hotel in Shieldaig (15 minutes) is also very
good. On Skye, Kinloch Lodge owned and run by the well known
cookery writer Lady Claire MacDonald and the Three Chimneys
Restaurant are both famous for their good food.
Shops
There is a good village shop in Kishorn, which has some
surprisingly good food and craft items available – as well
as bread, milk, papers and other basics. In Lochcarron (6
miles) there is a Spar mini-supermarket selling most things,
a very good butcher (Roddy Maclennan) and the Lochcarron
Garage which, in addition to petrol etc., sells food,
fishing tackle and has a small bakery. A fresh fish van
calls every week, if asked.
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