Area Guide

The parish of Loch Broom is far more than just Ullapool and as you travel around the region you will discover many small crofting townships and villages with their own unique features and stories.

Across the water from Ullapool is 'Lochside', a number of small communities many of whom still croft and farm today. The old church at Clachan has been there for hundreds of years and is believed to have originally been a place of worship since pre-Christianity.

South west, Dundonnell at Little Loch Broom again is still lived and worked by crofters and estates that stretch along the coast and up into the hills. Gruinard Beach on the way to Poolewe and Gairloch is a stunning location - when the tide is low its sands seem to go on forever.

North at Ardmair, the stoney beach is still a great stop where you can sit and look over to Isle Martin - an island inhabited for millenia and only evacuated in recent decades. Continue north and you will find Strath Kanaird and Elphin - again worked still today.

North along the coast, Coigach contains the villages of Achltibuie, Polbain, Reiff and more. Crofting and fishing still plays a strong part in local life and you can stop to sample the produce and catch in the local bars. The views from here over the Summer Isle are breath taking.

Further north into Assynt, you are surrounded by world famous mountains and beautiful lochs. If you don't want to climb them, then appreciate them as you drive and take in the ruined castle of Ardvreck and visit Lochinver and the beaches Achmelvich and Clachtoll along the coast - regarded as some of the finest in the world. Drumbeg along the coastal road offers some unique craft shops and Kylesku is famous for its bridge and the food you can get at the hotel there.

Further north still, Durness is recognised as a centre for arts and crafts and you can visit Cape Wrath, the most north easterly point on the UK, or by Kinlochbervie the beaches of Oldshoremore and Sandwood Bay.