Wester Ross Coastal Trail Scotland is a beautiful region. The landscapes and vistas are simply breath-taking. There are lochs, mountains, wildlife and stunning, intense colours that render the region so spectacular.
Visiting northern Scotland means taking the time to explore Wester Ross Coastal Trail. We’ve put together a list of our favourite sections of the trail. And we’ve included some tips and a map to help you plan your trip.
Have you heard about the North Coast 500, which includes the Wester Ross Coastal Trail? This new route takes you through superb regions, which include:
- Loch Maree
- Loch Torridon
- Loch Ewe
- Falls of Measach
- Glen Carron
Planning Tips & Map – Wester Ross, Scotland
Directions to Wester Ross – map
- North West coast of Scotland
- Wester Ross is an area that encompasses Lochcarron and Ullapool. That said, it could also include the mountains found north of Ullapool.
- The southern route from Eilean Don and Castle to Loch Carron is around a drive of 35 minutes.
- The northern route from Inverness to Ullapool is approximately a drive of 1h 20min
- Below you’ll find a map of Wester Ross to help you get oriented.
Exploring Wester Ross
We recommend the following route: From Eilean Donan, you take the A890, which goes along Glen Carron. At Achnasheen, take the left turning on A832 towards Loch Maree. The A832 route is a loop that takes you along the Wester Ross Coastal Trail that takes you inland to A835 in the direction of Ullapool.
It is possible to drive the whole route in a single day. But we recommend you put aside two days, so you get to explore and discover the whole route.
Need to rent a car in Scotland?
Our tips:
We recommend you compare the cost of hiring a car on Discovercars.com, one of the most rated comparison sites!
Decide on the most suitable car and hire company. We recommend choosing a compact vehicle to negotiate the many single-track roads you’ll encounter along the way.
Consider taking out full insurance coverage, so you have peace of mind!
Book early to have a better choice of cars available for hire.
South Section – Glen Carron or Glen Torridon
Option 1 – Lochcarron and Glen Carron – the A890 route
Glen Carron is the first place you encounter, a superb valley where you’ll discover Loch Carron and the town of Lochcarron. It’s a sea loch that boasts an abundance of native wildlife. Plus, the towns in the area are both smaller and tranquil.
The A890 along Glen Carron takes you close to delightful, smaller lochs and superb valleys.
Option 2 – Loch Torridon – the A896 route
Another great option is to drive past Lochcarron in the direction of Torridon. It takes you along Glen Torridon instead, which takes you back towards Loch Maree. It’s the southern section of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail.
Note: It’s a single-track road between Torridon and the A832.
Central Wester Ross Coastal Trail – road A832
Having driven along the A896 or the A890, you get to the A832, the main coastal trail route. You’ll discover some magnificent lochs along the way, including Loch Maree.
Here’s a list of the other lochs you’ll encounter along the way:
Loch A-Chroisg
You’ll discover Loch a’Chroisg when you turn towards Loch Maree along the A832 which takes you along the northern shore. You’ll see the distant mountain summits. Plus, the vistas and route get better and better as you drive along!
Loch Maree Viewpoint and south shore drive
The route takes up the pass to a viewpoint where you can stop and admire the magnificent Loch Maree. Then, the route takes you to the loch’s shore and continues along the shoreline. The loch is one of the best locations to visit in Scotland.
Note: Loch Maree is Wester Ross’s most famous loch.
Gairloch
The route then takes you away from Loch Maree towards the ocean. We recommend a stop at the delightful town of Gairloch. It’s a peaceful, tranquil and colourful place to rest up for a while.
Loch Tollaidh
The A832 takes you back inland, where you’ll discover the lovely, small Loch Tollaidh with its surrounding hills and mountains. The route is 1.5km long. And at its widest, it’s just 730m.
Poolewe and Loch Ewe
The route takes you to the coast, with the next stop being Loch Ewe with its Isle of Ewe.
The road meanders along the loch shores at Poolewe, providing superb views from various angles.
Note: Loch Ewe boasts a long and fascinating Maritime trade history
The northern part of Wester Ross Coastal Road
Travelling north and then east, the route is fascinating. It takes you through valleys with superb vistas, nature, lochs and the coast.
Gruinard Bay – Wester Ross beaches
As you drive inland, the route takes you to Gruinard Bay which has a large island. The beaches are pristine, and the views of mountain summits in the distance are breath-taking.
Falls of Measach
Turning left on the A832 in the direction of Ullapool, you’ll encounter the lovely Falls of Measach and the magnificent Carrieshalloch Gorge.
We recommend taking a short walk over a bridge that provides the best views over the falls.
Take a look at our article on the Falls of Measach!
Ullapool & Loch Broom
Finally, you’ll reach the lovely Loch Broom and Ullapool, located on a headland in the centre of the Loch.
Ullapool was founded in 1788 and is the largest village in the area, with 1500 inhabitants.
Staying at Dunalastair Hotel Suites
Dunalastair Hotel Suites is ideally located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The hotel boasts a superb blend of original Victorian features and modern facilities. Following a multi-million refurbishment, the hotel opened its doors again in 2017.
Today, 5-star luxury is guaranteed when you stay at Dunalastair Hotel Suites. Plus, we are ideally located and just a short distance from the Wester Ross Coastal Trail.
Book your stay and enjoy the best experience and warmest welcome Scotland has to offer you. You can book your stay online to benefit from our luxury staycation packages in the Scottish Highlands at our 5-star Luxury Hotel Scotland.