Sights and Places to Visit
All within close proximity of your West Home accommodation
Wester Ross has so much to offer in terms of beautiful scenery and sights to see. Below are just a few places you may wish to explore during your stay at West Home.
Here are just a few suggestions for enjoying your leisure time when visiting this beautiful part of the world.
For ideas regarding what to do, where to visit etc whilst in Wester Ross, why not check out the excellent website Visit Wester Ross
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
Beinn Eighe was chosen as Britain’s first National Nature Reserve and overlooks the spectacularly beautiful Loch Maree.
Coming under the jurisdiction of NatureScot, Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is in the heart of Wester Ross and has a visitor centre open from April to October just outside the village of Kinlochewe.
The mountains, seas and lochs in this part of Wester Ross are undoubtedly amongst the finest in the world, the opportunity to see these for yourself should not be missed.
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
Bealach Beag (Shieldaig and Applecross Circuit)
A must for the cycling fraternity, this 45 mile circuit includes a crossing of the classic Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) to Applecross.
Starting from the picturesque village of Shieldaig, it follows the route of the the “Bealach Beag” cycle sportive, sister route to the classic “Bealach Mor”.
A highlight of the route is the crossing of the 2056 foot high Bealach na Ba which gives superb views back towards Loch Kishorn and onwards towards the islands of Skye and Raasay.
Applecross Road ascending Bealach na Ba
Bealach Mor (Kinlochewe, Lochcarron and Applecross Circuit)
Another for the enthusiastic cyclist, the acclaimed “Bealach Mor” cycle sportive is a tough 90 mile route and can be considered one of the best circular routes in the country.
Like the Bealach Beag, this circuit crosses the 2056 foot high Bealach na Ba with other challenging climbs also there to be negotiated.
The journey down Glen Carron to Lochcarron, the coastal road north of Applecross and the section through Torridon are amazingly spectacular.
Looking down Glen Docherty to Loch Maree
Shieldaig
The village of Shieldaig was founded in 1800 with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon. The community found itself a new role as a fishing village after Napoleon’s defeat and the small nearby island instead of having its tall pines harvested to rig warships, went on to become a nature sanctuary.
Shieldaig is a community of around 85 people, with its own school, a small pub, a village hall, a church and two restaurants. It is much used as a holiday destination, attracting those interested in fishing, touring the North Coast 500 or explorers of the Torridon Hills, which are a few miles around the coast.
Fishing boat leaving Shieldaig
Torridon Countryside Centre, Achnasheen
A paradise for hikers, climbers, geologists and nature lovers, Torridon includes some of Scotland’s finest mountain scenery. Challenge yourself to reach the summit of one of five Munros, enjoy a peaceful picnic spot by Loch Torridon or visit the countryside centre for information on the wildlife and walking routes.
The Torridon Countryside Centre stands at the foot of Glen Torridon, close to the junction where the minor road from the village of Torridon joins the A896. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, the Countryside Centre serves as an introduction to the estate.
For centre opening times etc, please click here National Trust for Scotland
Torridon Countryside Centre
Torridon Activities
Located close to West Home at the foot of Liathach on the shores of Loch Torridon offering some of the best walking, mountaineering and kayaking in the country.
Torridon Activities - Kayaking
The CELTMAN! Extreme Triathlon
The CELTMAN! Extreme Scottish Triathlon takes place in Wester Ross annually in mid June.
Centred around the stunning Torridon mountains, it is a test of endurance like no other. Billed as extreme, this is no false claim with cold water, strong winds, driving rain having to be endured with conditions on the mountain more than likely being difficult with low visibility.
In summary, the event involves a 3.4km swim, a 202km cycle ride and finally a 42km mountain run.
