Local Attractions – Applecross
(location of The Birdhouse and Shell Cottage B&B)
The Applecross Peninsula is home to some 260 people in a total land mass of over 70,000 acres. There’s a number of small villages or townships and a superb pub – the Applecross Inn, local shop, petrol filling station, fish and chip takeaway and stunning walled Garden with cafe.
The Gaelic name for the area, ‘a Chomraich’, means ‘The Sanctuary’. It is so well described!
Sandy beaches are found throughout the peninsula. Some obvious and others well hidden. So, if you are looking for the secret ones, just ask!!
The great Bealach na Ba pass, one of the two ways to arrive on the Applecross coast is a single track mountain pass, built in 1822 with very tight hairpin bends that switch back and forth up the hillside and gradients that approach 20%. It has the steepest ascent of any road climb in the UK. The name is Scottish Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle, as it was historically used as a drovers’ road.
Walking and hiking through the area you can find roaming red deer, mountain hare, highland cows and sheep, pine martin, badgers, foxes, the occasional solo wild cat, pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats and many species of birds including barn owl, tawny owl, great spotted woodpecker, song thrush and bullfinch. Around the lochs you are likely to see otters, seals and dolphins.
Around and about
The area is an excellent base for those who would like to explore further afield and touring is a popular activity. This will inevitably take you north to Torridon, Gairloch, Inverewe, Aultbea, Dundonnell and Ullapool. There are castles, ancient brochs, gardens, beaches, and local crafts to sample along the way.
To the south lies Lochcarron, Plockton, Kyle of Lochalsh, Dornie, and Glenelg. The gardens of Attadale and the village of Plockton with its palm trees on the sea front make for a lovely day out.
Kayaking and Mountaineering
The Mountain and sea guides located by the Inn, offer guided kayaking or mountaineering.
Golf
Locally there is a 9-hole loch side golf courses at Lochcarron. Further afield is an 18-hole course at Strathpeffer and a 9-hole course at Ullapool and Gairloch.
