Gairloch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gairloch ( Geàrrloch in Gaelic ) is a small village on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch boasts a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local radio station, beaches and nearby mountains.
The parish and community of Gairloch extends over a much wider area, including the villages of Poolewe and Kinlochewe, and even Diabaig and Alligin on Loch Torridon.
The village is currently being featured on the BBC One series When Love Comes To Town. The village is also well-known for being the current residence of Jamiroquai front-man Jay Kay.
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[edit] Geography
Gairloch itself comprises two villages separated by the main beach - which is a crescent of white sand. If approaching from the south (via Kinlochewe), Charlestown is the first of Gairloch's villages and is notable for the Old Inn (good food), Flowerdale and the harbour. Strath is the main village centre on the northern approach to the village where the tourist information, the school and a number of shops can be found. Beyond Gairloch to the west a number of small settlements can be found; Big Sand, Erradale, and Melvaig. Beyond Melvaig the road narrows to a hair raising track (which is passable with a car) and ends at the Rubha Reidh lighthouse.
The golf course is short and it involves a lot of crossing and shared fairways; it has a dramatic setting and a very welcoming club house. The eighth hole is particularly dramatic and challenging.
[edit] Land ownership
The lands around Gairloch have been mostly in the ownership of the Mackenzies of Gairloch since the 15th century, and there is a family house in the sheltered Glen of Flowerdale. The glen has a microclimate and vegetation that are home to a diverse range of natural life. With the aid of public grants, new and refurbished footpaths have been established which allow residents and visitors to enjoy the wooded areas. There is also a walk up the Flowerdale burn to an impressive waterfall at the head of the glen.
[edit] Fishing
Boat fishing and marine wildlife trips can be arranged at the harbour, and there are many hill lochs in the area with trout fishing available. Trips are also available with a working creel boat based in Badachro on the south side of the Gairloch (the "overside").
Whale watching cruises, Shiant Island trips, rod and line sea fishing can be booked at the Gairloch Chandlery on Pier Rd in Gairloch.
[edit] Highland Gathering
Every first Saturday in the month of July, the community and visitors come together to meet old friends and new at the Gairloch Highland Gathering, which is organised and run by members of the local community. To keep up to date with the event log on to Gairloch Highland Gathering [1]
Internet café facilities are available at several locations in the area. There is a tourist information office, and a filling station (not open Sundays or public holidays). An online photographic tour is available. Gairloch is also home to the UK's smallest local radio station, Two Lochs Radio (website), which is a community-run station serving the central part of Wester Ross.
