Further Afield......

GDO No 4:  Heading North, there are several walks available. First of all, you arrive in Poolewe (6 miles from Gairloch). There's a good walk to be had along the River Ewe towards Kernsary, and then (taking a right turn at Kernsary itself) onwards towards Loch Maree - sights to be seen here are wooded areas with bluebells, views across towards the mountains of Torridon, and the steep cliff faces of Ardlair. Use Ordnance Survey Sheet No 19 (1:50,000 scale) for a clear overview of all the paths available here.

Start of the walk to Kernsary, beside the River Ewe

From Laide, there's a three mile walk along a clear track out to the deserted village of Slaagan, and then there's the Laide Woodland -owned by the local community, and gradually being restored to condition after the 2005 hurricane, with several walks meandering through the woodland areas.

Fed up with walking? Stop off at Gruinard beach, where the land slopes gently towards the water, revealing  not only patterns in the sand, but low tide access to a line of other smaller beaches (note: there is a track at the rear of the beach connecting all of these in case the tide comes in!)

GDO No 5:  Let's go south! The obvious stop off point first of all may well be Slattadale. As you drive along the A832 slightly above Loch Maree, have a look over and see if you can spot one of our local Sea Eagles or Black throated Divers - both species can be seen in this area. About 15 miles or so away from Gairloch, but before you arrive at Kinlochewe, there's the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. The first in the Uk, established in the 1950's, this has an excellent wee Visitor Centre and a number of walks from 10 minutes to six hours. Many of the shorter walks are perfectly suitable for youngsters, wheelchair users, and prams. The woodland areas around the centre include original Scots pine forest, and are home to many rare and interesting animals.

 Airigh Charr, above Loch Maree              Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre

After a walk on the reserve, there are hotels / cafes in Kinlochewe and Torridon (a further 12 miles away along a winding single track road).  This skirts the bases of the magnificent Torridon mountains of Beinn Eighe and Liathach, offering terrific views up into their cliifs and corries. One suggestion for a walk here that does not include a summit is the five hour return trip into Coire Mhic Fhearchair, with it's high level lochan and the remains of a wrecked Lancaster at the foot of the "Triple Buttress".