Location: Gairloch
Top Things to do in Gairloch
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Gairloch, Scotland
Gairloch (/ˈɡɛərlɒx/ GAIR-lokh; Scottish Gaelic: Geàrrloch Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkʲaːrˠl̪ˠɔx], meaning "Short Loch") is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a variety of shops, chinese and fish and chip takeaways, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local radio station, beaches and nearby mountains. Gairloch is one of the principal villages on the North Coast 500 route.
Restaurants in Gairloch
1. Gairloch Glass Bottom Boat Cruises
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
Unique pleasure trip boat where you can see the creatures living in the crystal clear waters of Loch Gairloch on Alice, the Glass Bottomed Boat. Open 7 days a week from Spring to Autumn.
2. Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Sea Kayaking Day or Half day trips around Gairloch, Loch Ewe and Loch Maree. We can take you on a full or half day kayaking adventure around our wonderful coastline. Our trips are run by local guides who know the area well and are experts on wildlife spotting.
3. Ewe Canoe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Canoe and Kayak Adventures in Wester Ross. Whether it's just splashing about in boats or improving your strokes, Ewe Canoe can cater for you. Friendly, qualified and experienced to ensure that your adventure is fun, informative and memorable. A variety of locations are used to suit experience levels, conditions and ambitions. I don't mix groups, so when you book with Ewe Canoe it will be just your group - meaning you get a bespoke session tailored just for you. Ewe Canoe is just me - Conor - so when you book with Ewe Canoe you're sure to get the full Ewe Canoe experience! Book early to avoid disappointment - like all good things I fill up quickly!
4. Gruinard Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By PeterChad - Durham, United Kingdom
The drive along Gruinard Bay coast road, north from Poolewe, gives stunning views over the bay. We have seen sea otters and all three kinds of diver in this bay. One of the loveliest views in Britain.
5. Glendale Self Drive Boat Hire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Self drive hire boats and trips around Loch Gairloch and explore a varied and interesting shore line with native woodland, to sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, you will have the opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife. Explore the waters around the many islands which are home to many seabirds and resting points for seals and otters too. Just go fishing and relax or book a fast trip on our ex MOD patrol boat with a brief history of the area.
6. Loch Maree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By JulieWill - Atherstone, United Kingdom
Stunning scenery with some nice places to eat, there is a good tourist information centre with a nice little cafe and a little shop. There is an old military base not far away ( ask at the tourist info ) with some great views. There are also some nice local beaches.
7. Gairloch Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Brand new for 2019, Gairloch Museum has relocated to a stunning new building - a former nuclear bunker in the centre of Gairloch. Displays include the original lens from Rubh Re lighthouse, a replica croft house showing how people used to live and an interactive gallery about our magnificent natural world, midges and all! The Museum shop stocks a specialist range of books and CDs of local interest and crafts by local makers. The in-house art gallery hosts a rotation of exhibitions. A café with wonderful views down the loch is coming soon. Gairloch Museum was declared as an ArtFund Museum of the Year in 2020.
Reviewed By AMcL007 - Dundee, United Kingdom
We visited on a rainy day and were pleasantly surprised just how good this little museum is. Staff were brilliant....very informative, enthusiastic and helpful. Good use of space which includes some local artist exhibits and we especially liked the old narrated films. Great reuse of an old building. We’ve been visiting Gairloch for decades and this is the one of the best additions to the community in that time. We’ll be back...
8. Gairloch Trekking Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Come and enjoy pony trekking. Ride our well mannered native ponies along beautiful sandy beaches with stunning scenery all round. suitable for all ages and abilities with friendly knowledgeable qualified staff.
Reviewed By WalczakMarcin - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
My six years old son, who was a complete novice with horses, enjoyed the half day special at stables and is already looking forward to have more similar experience. He enjoyed all activities he was involved with, which included not only trekking horses but also grooming and preparing food for them, and cleaning stables too. At the end of session my son received a rosette and we got him also a souvenir with a photograph of horse he was riding on that day. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes prior session to fill in a form and prepare child for session. Strongly recommended if around in this remote location.
9. Russian Arctic Convoy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By profjoypc - Alnwick, United Kingdom
We really enjoyed our first visit here. It is an excellent museum with an incredible number of artefacts, photos, memories and memorabilia of the Russian arctic Convoys of the Second World War. It is very well laid out and knowledgeable volunteers are present to have a chat or answer questions. There is a small bit well stocked shop and toilets. Definitely worth visiting if you are interested in how wartime history impacted on Loch Ewe and the surrounding area.
10. Flowerdale Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By fishdiver01 - Newquay, United Kingdom
Stayed in a cottage nearby and did this walk on our last day. It was a beautiful day and the walk was perfect. The woodland is looked after and route to the waterfall sign posted. It was easy underfoot apart from the last few metres which as stated is a steep incline. The bridge you have to cross needs some attention as it is beginning to rot in places. The best viewing point for pics is actually at the bridge as if you continue to the top you cannot actually see the waterfall. Well worth the visit.
