Aultbea itself is a small crofting and fishing village with a population of less than 400. The village is sheltered by the Isle of Ewe and surrounded by great wilderness and mountains.
The village has a good shop, a hotel and there are a number of gift shop and cafes nearby such as the Perfume Studio and the Isle of Ewe Smokehouse.
Along the coast there are many beautiful beaches such as Firemore, Gruinard, Mellon Udrigle and Big Sand. These beaches are great for walks, relaxing, exploring rock pools and even snorkelling (we have 5 of the north west snorkel trail's 9 sites within easy drive). The beaches and coast are great for bird watching - we even have White Tailed Sea Eagles in the area - and also seals hauled out on rocks and the occasional porpoise, dolphin and whale swimming not far from shore. 3 minutes walk from Drumchork, there is a stoney shore where shore birds can be seen, a Heron, Eider Ducks (depending on the time of year ), Cormorants, and Red Breasted Merganser.
Loch Ewe's connection with the second world war convoys that sailed from here to Russia can still be found along the coast where there are a number of old piers and gun placements too - an emotive reminder of our recent history.
Hill-walking and rock climbing abound, Torridon being 40 mins drive and Dundonell 20 mins, there is a 7 mile track to Fionn Loch (no access for vehicles) near the house where views over fresh water lochs and heather clad hills can be seen, showing the isolated parts of the Highlands within 15 mins.
The scenic village of Ullapool is within 1 hours drive north with its sea views and rugged mountains, the Caledonian McBrayne ferry departs daily to Stornoway and the Isle of Lewis, (there are frequent sailing’s during the summer allowing you to go out and return the same day, phone their office for details), along with boat trips to the Summer Islands, book, music and guitar festivals, and a number of places to eat and drink.
The village of Gairloch is 15 miles south where pony trekking, guided mountain walks, kayaking and daily marine wildlife cruises are available. Some of these boats go out to the Minch and encounter a lot of dolphin and whales. There are also some great bars and restaurants where you can eat - many offer fine seafood landed at the harbour where you can watch fishing boats coming in at the evening. Gairloch also has a great wee museum and is surrounded by the ruined remains of stone houses dating back thousands of years.
Beinn Eighe nature reserve is 40 mins drive towards Kinlochewe. The renowned National Trust for Scotland, Inverewe Gardens is in its secluded position at Poolewe and Corrieshalloch Gorge is about half an hours drive away.
Head further south and you will find Applecross - a beautiful drive through some stunning scenery and rewarded by one of the finest seafood meals in Britain at the award winning Applecross Inn.
Whatever your taste and desire, Aultbea and Wester Ross really does have it all.
Aultbea, a lovely wee village surrounded by beautiful
scenery, hills and walks. The coast offers some wonderful beaches
and wildlife, the village itself has a great hotel serving food and
drink, just a short walk from Drumchork, a shop and post office. Aultbea
is well situated for excursions to neighbouring villages such as Poolewe, Gairloch
Ullapool and Applecross, and is close to many attractions, sights and locations.
A single
Track road (for the more adventurous) goes through Inverasdale to
Cove and passes through the crofting township, ending up with sea
views
and breaking waves on a windy day.
Gairloch is only a few miles south of us and offers a ranges of activities such as horse riding, quads, fishing trips and boat tours around the bay and even out into the Minch looking for porpoise, whales and dolphin. Te village offers a number of places to eat and drink ranging from cafes and takeaway to bars and restaurants. There is a 9 hole golf course and a busy wee harbour to watch boats come and go. There are the paths at Flowerdale for walking.
Ullapool is another fishing port to the north of us that is well known for music and arts and hosts a number of festivals including a book, guitar, dance and beer festival throughout the year. Loopallu music festival is well known as one of the best small festivals in the UK. The village also offers many places to eat anddrink, andalso has tour boats running from the harbour to the Summer Islands - even landing on Tanera, the last island to be lived on. The CalMac ferry running from Ullapool to Stornoway runs 3 trips a day in the summer and means you can visit the Hebrides and be home within a day. North of Ullapool, the single track road to Coigach and Achiltibuie rewards visitors with views over the SUmmer Isles and Minch, and further still, Lochinver and Assynt take in the North West GeoPark and some world famous peaks.
The environment surrounding us is both beautiful and awe inspiring. The mountains and glens, the beaches and lochs, the moors and forest all offer sights and experiences according to what you desire. Walking, biking, climbing and trekking are all achievable all around us. We are in an Unesco Biospere and home to a vast number of famous of mountains.
As well as stunning landscapes, we are surrounded by amazing animals and wildlife. From the Golden and White Tailed Sea Eagles soaring in our skies, to the red and black throated divers and other sea birds on our shores. Seals cam often be seen on the rocks between Laide and First Coast when the tide is out a bit, they look like a banana sitting on the jagged rocks. We also have large herds of red deer on our hills - and at times even grazing in the garden by Drumchork Farmhouse! There are all variety of wildlife and stunning plants all around.
