Things to do in and around Lochcarron

Near the start of the walk from Coulags to Torridon

Lochcarron is an excellent centre for exploring the scenic west coast. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the various local facilities make it a good base for climbing and walking, wildlife watching and photography. If you come here simply to unwind, it's peaceful enough for complete relaxation.

Walking and climbing

Off the start of the Bealach na Ba at Tornapress by Kishorn

For walkers of all levels of enthusiasm and energy, there are unlimited opportunities to wander through the hills both close at hand and further afield, depending on the kind of landscapes you want to explore.

For more serious walkers and climbers there are more demanding hills, such as in Beinn Eighe; the Torridon range can be reached from Lochcarron via a track at Coulags.

Fishing

As well as sea fishing, there are many freshwater hill lochs and rivers in the area where good fishing is to be had, often in a fabulously peaceful setting. You'll need a permit for freshwater fishing. If you wish to set this up before you arrive, we can give you a contact name.

Some impressive experimental work has been done in recent years to restock the River Carron, and if you catch a salmon here you'll be asked to return it to the river. To help with the restocking work it may be useful to hold the fish in a keep net for a while so it can be examined; the person issuing your permit will let you know what's needed.

Lochcarron golf course

Golf

Lochcarron has a nine-hole golf course on the loch side at the east end of the village. There's a superb outlook over the loch and the hills all round. Visitors are very welcome. The clubhouse serves snacks and meals at times but it's worth checking opening hours.

Sailing

Lochcarron has a busy sailing club sited near the shelter of Slumbay Harbour. Access to the clubhouse, boat park and launching area is from the end of Murray Square. Visitors are welcome; dinghies are out for races and training once or twice a week in the season.

Loch Carron is a sea loch, with access past Strome Narrows to the Inner Sound between the Applecross peninsula and Skye. In the village there's a range of sites for launching boats, with sloping gravel beaches and three slipways along Lochcarron's two-mile loch frontage. There are visitors' moorings opposite the Lochcarron Hotel at the east end of the village.

Paddling towards Lochcarron village from the west

Kayaking

Loch Carron is a very pleasant place to paddle around. Many experienced kayakers set out towards the lovely destination of Plockton, negotiating what can be impressive currents and the small whirl pools at Strome Narrows. Others simply paddle around Loch Carron looking out for otters, and watching the seals and seabirds that live on the small islands in the loch.

If you are a very experienced paddler, you might want to make longer and perhaps more demanding explorations of the fascinating coastline nearby.

A kayak and canoe club meets at south Skye once a week in the summer season.

Sea trips

At Plockton there are boat trips around the area; these advertise that if you don't see seals you get your money back. Other trips to sea, including excursions using glass-bottomed boats, run from Kyle of Lochcalsh and, further afield, from Gairloch.

Pony trekking

Pony trekking is available in the area; for example on the Isle of Skye, there's a choice of riding schools offering hacking and trekking, with rides in the hills, through woodland, and on beaches.