Hillwalking in Torridon

Background

Wester Ross is a magnificent area of scotland which covers Applecross, Torridon, Achnasheen, Loch Maree etc. Some of the most remote mountains can be found in this area of Scotland as well as a distinctive rugged beauty - the mountains and lochs here are unlike those found elsewhere in Scotland and it is worthwhile for tourists interested only in looking at scenery to travel along the Wester Ross Tourist/Coastal Trail via places like Kinlochewe, Lochcarron and Torridon. There are some fabulous hotels and plently of B&B's as well as watersports and (at the apropriate times of the year) the usual hunting/fishing etc.

The Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve is managed by the Scottish Natural Heritage.

Torridon is the area to the north of Glen Torridon and from Loch Torridon in the west to Loch Maree at Kinlochewe and the Fisherfield / Letterewe Forests. (Slioch anyone?). To the south of Torridon is Applecross and the Ben Damph Forest area.

Torridon has some amazing mountains: the Liathach ridge, the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, Beinn Alligan and its horns as well as some more seriously remote mountains for the dedicated backpacker.

Local Facilities

The area relies on tourism as its main industry so there is actually lots to do and plenty of places to stay!

Accommodation

There is a Youth Hostel at the head of Loch Torridon and a campsite here also - this is also the location of the locat Mountain Rescue base. - You'll also find the visitor centre here and probably some sheep.

Most of the little villages and towns in the area will have B&B's in them - some of them look lovely but I can't comment because I normally camp. Scottish hospitality though is second to none! Most of the accommodation in the area will be used to catering for the climbing/walking community, too!

For those preferring a hotel there are also some very nice ones at Lochcarron, Kinlochewe etc - check this out at any Tourist Information centre.

Activities

Apart from the obvious walking, climbing (summer/winter), backpacking and so on the area is popular for motorcyle tourism - cycling - watersports and fishing in the many beautiful trout/salmon lochs and rivers.

Getting there

Torridon is not a difficult place to get to - it is just a long drive!

From Inverness: Head north out of Inverness, following the signs for Ullapool initially. Once you reach the end of the A9 places like Kinlochewe, Sheildaig and Achnasheen are signposted - follow the (mostly single track) road past some marvellous lochs until you begin to see signs for Torridon/Kinlochewe...
From Edinburgh: Leave the city by the Forth Road Bridge (toll 80p) and head up the M90 to Perth where you should follow the A9 all the way to Inverness.
From Glasgow: Head for Crianlarich and then Fort William. From here it's probably quickest to head for Kyle of Lochalsh - just before Kyle you will see a signpost for Lochcarron (Wester Ross Coastal Trail) - this is the road you want - continue along this road - Torridon is signposted