Rockvilla Hotel

This page contains links to several photo galleries. We hope you will enjoy the photos - they may take a little while to download if you do not have a broadband connection, so please be patient!

Lochcarron is situated amidst some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountain scenery to be found anywhere in the British Isles with views which can be equally stunning at all seasons of the year, as you will see if you take a look at our Local Photo Gallery.

There are many places to see and things to do in the area. For those who enjoy walking and hill walking, there is a wide variety of different walks to suit all tastes and abilities, from simple strolls to climbing Munro's, of which there are several within a reasonable distance from Lochcarron.

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Lochcarron is an excellent base from which to tour the region with a number of day excursions which may easily be undertaken. One place which most people will wish to visit is Applecross, a remote early Christian sanctuary which is reached via the Bealach na Ba' (the Pass of the Cattle), one of the highest roads in Britain, climbing to 2,053 feet from sea level in just over 3 miles. The photo to the right was taken from the Applecross tops and shows the view to Kishorn down below. You may care to take a look at our Applecross Photo Gallery. For those who prefer a low-level drive, Applecross can also be reached via the coast road from the north, and, indeed, during wintry conditions, this is the only way into the village.

To the south and west of Lochcarron are a number of places of interest such as the famous and much-photographed Eilean Donan Castle. Then there is Glenelg with its ancient brochs and its links with the author of "Ring of Bright Water", Gavin Maxwell, this place also being approached via a quite spectacular mountain road over Mam Ratagan. During summer months, there is a ferry crossing to Skye from Glenelg, which is popular with those who prefer to cross to Skye by the more traditional method! Having taken the ferry over to Skye, one of the first places you reach on the other side is the Kylerhea Otter Haven where there is an observation hide from which you can look out for otters and other local wildlife.

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Talking of crossing to Skye, the main route nowadays is by means of the somewhat controversial new Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh (23 miles from Lochcarron) to Kyleakin on Skye. Once on the island, there are many places to visit such as Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery, the Isle of Skye Brewery (whose excellent traditional beers are frequently served in the Rockvilla Hotel). For walkers and climbers, Skye is a paradise with the spectacular Cuillins being the main focal point. To the north of the island lies Trotternish with the magnificent rock formations of the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing, and, on a clear day, some really superb views back to Applecross and Gairloch on the mainland. To the south of the island towards Armadale is the softer and gentler countryside of Sleat with, once again, some excellent views across to Loch Hourn and Knoydart on the mainland. Our Skye Photo Gallery will give you a taster of some of the superb scenery on the island.

To the north and west of Lochcarron are the Torridon hills, another area popular with walkers, and also the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, and beautiful Loch Maree. A little further on, the coast is reached at Gairloch with its excellent white sandy beaches - but, before going that far, it is well worth making a diversion to Red Point which has another excellent beach, and the quaint little pub at Badachro. Travelling on up the coast beyond Gairloch, one arrives at the amazing tropical gardens at Inverewe, originally laid out in Victorian times by Osgood MacKenzie, and a clear indication of the influence of the Gulf Stream.

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Returning nearer to Lochcarron, we can see further evidence of the presence of the Gulf Stream at Plockton, a very pretty little village where palm trees can be found growing along the water front. In recent years, Plockton was used as the location for filming the TV series "Hamish MacBeth". You will find some views of Plockton in the Photo Gallery.

Wherever you go in this part of the Highlands, there are ever more spectacular views to take your breath away, and each season has its own special charm and attraction. The majority of visitors come here during the summer months, but the off-season periods can be equally attractive - there is nothing more magnificent than the sight of snow-capped mountains set against a clear blue sky on a bright sunny winter's day. If you still need to be convinced, have a look at these additional photos and also this superb sunset!

Photos Copyright © 2003 [James Mould] 

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