When green-fingered friends visited a few weeks ago, I suggested Attadale Gardens as a place to visit, which is nestled alongside the east bank of Loch Carron. The day was stunning and the road out from Inverness pretty much remains in parallel with the train line route out to Kyle of Lochalsh.
After our drive, our first stop once we arrived in Attadale, was the Old Larder – a DIY Kitchen with hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes available to buy. We refuelled, ready to explore the gardens.
We spent a good couple of hours wandering in the sunshine. At times it felt like we were in a rainforest, with the variety of plants surrounding us.
The viewpoint was pretty spectacular. (and does that look like Nessie in the clouds?)
After our picnic lunch, our adventure up the Bealach na Ba began! This was my second time along the “Pass of the Cattle” – a pass that rises to over 2000 feet from sea level, and includes some hair-raising hair pin bends!
After you climb, and climb, and keep climbing, you are rewarded handsomely (if you are there on a clear day) at the summit!
Views could be seen as far as Skye and Raasay (pictured) as well as to Harris and Lewis. The blue skies reminded me of our first trip to Skye last year. We joined a steady throng of tourists getting their postcard memories.
At Applecross, we settled in front of the bay with an cone from Applecross Inn Ices. Pretty much a day of perfect weather and scenery. Â The whole round trip (taking in Torridon and Kinlochewe on the return) takes a good half day. My advice is to take the whole day and explore the villages and hills, and allow lots of time for photo stops.
Want a one-stop shop guide to everything worth visiting Wester Ross? Â Take a look at Love From Scotland.
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