Applecross Explorer

This tour starts from Inverness and crosses over to the Black Isle where there is always a good chance of seeing Red Kite flying over head. The road passes a number of picturesque Highland villages before heading into the wilderness of Strath Carron where we pass wide open moorland, magnificent lochs, old growth forests and stunning mountains including Fuar Tholl and An Ruadh Stac (two of my favourites!).

Our first stop is usually the coastal village of Lochcarron which is the first point we reach on the West Coast. There is a chance to get a cup of coffee and a snack in a fantastic local bistro and there are also a whole host of tiny art galleries dotted around which are well worth checking out if art is your thing.

Our next stop is the ruined Strome Castle, whose tranquil location overlooking the sea belies it’s tumultuous past! We then drive through some stunning Highland, passing by Loch Kishorn before heading onto one of the day’s highlights – the incredible Bealach na Ba. This road boast the greatest ascent of any road in Britain as it rises from sea level to 626 metres in just a few miles of hairpin bends that switch back and forth up the hillside and gradients that approach 20%. The view at the top is world class, and on a good day you can see Skye and the Cullin mountains, the islands of Rhum, Eigg, Raasay and Rhona and the Ardnumurchan Penisula – it is simple stunning!

If that wasn’t good enough – next it is time for lunch in one of Applecross’s two great eating establishments, the Applecross Inn or the Walled Garden for some great sea food and other local specialities. The food in these two places is worth the journey in itself!

The afternoon is spent exploring the Applecross Penisula and there is a whole host of things to do. We explore ruined crofting villages and find out about the Highland clearances. There are also some great beaches to explore with white sand and beautifully blue water – you could be forgiven for thinking you are in the Carribean before you feel how cold it is! For the more adventurous there is a chance to hike to some secret beaches!

As we drive along the Applecross penisula we have to share the road with sheep, Highland cows and even the occasional wild boar! We often pop in to visit a local weaver who hand makes all his produce on a traditional loom and he has some great traditional knit wear on sale. There is also a chance to pick-up some freshly smoked salmon in the village of Sheildaig at the back of someone’s house – delicious!

Our journey back to Inverness takes us through the spectacular Torridon mountains where we get views of two of Britain’s most iconic peaks – Liathach and Beinn Eighe before heading onto Kinlochewe and the fantastic view at the top of Glen Docherty (it’s so good the BBC often use it on their morning weather forecast!).