THE GREAT WILDERNESS
Munro Climbing and Walking
Walking in the Fisherfield Forest
THE LOCAL AREA
A Holiday to Remember...
Langridge Highland Home overlooks Little Loch Broom with its wonderful walks to enjoy nearby. Other amenities are just a short trip away, providing many day-trip options and an excellent base from which to plan your days out.
Relax, admire the views and watch the sunset over the mountains. In the evening, bring your telescope and stargaze directly from the garden. With Bortle Grade 1 zero light pollution skies, you may see the Northern Lights. Within Badcaul itself, the skies are Grade 2. Neighbours use telescopes themselves and really care about light pollution making this a very special place for astronomers to visit.
Badcaul is situated on the A832 between Braemore Junction and Gairloch. From Braemore you can walk and view the 160ft Falls of Measach.
Continuing along from Badcaul, towards Gairloch, you are surrounded by mountains, wild goats, stags and plenty of sheep roaming free. Along the A832 at Gruinard Bay, you many want to stop off and stroll along the beautiful golden sands before continuing to the little fishing village of Aultbea. Here you will find The Perfume Studio with its shop and restaurant. The famous and sought after Richie's Haggis can also be found in the little village.
Back en route towards Gairloch you will pass through the village of Poolewe at the southern end of Loch Ewe. Just prior to arriving in the village you will find our world famous Inverewe Gardens. Heading south, you will drive into Gairloch. A small thriving village, surrounded by stunning sandy beaches, costal walks and wildlife sea cruises. Gairloch Museum won the Art Fund Museum of the Year award 2020. The dispensing chemist, Gairloch Pharmacy is next to the smallest little radio station in the UK, Two Lochs Radio.
Heading further south out of the village you have the option to visit Redpoint and Opinan with stunning views to Skye and the Outer Hebrides or, take a horseback ride along the stunning beaches.
Located less than an hour’s drive further north to Ullapool, you can easily catch a ferry to the Isle of Lewis. From there, if you take your vehicle, you can then drive on to the Isle of Harris with its world famous white sandy beaches and delicious Harris Gin. As a foot passenger you can meander the streets of Stornoway or take excursions from there, both on sea and land.
You are visiting one of the worlds most stunning areas for Climbing and hill walking. Heading south again, you can take in many munro's and especially the Torridon's; an incomparable collection of at least 8, between Loch Maree and Loch Torridon.
ARDESSIE FALLS
Take a short, steep walk alongside the Allt Airdeasaidh to view the impressive Ardessie waterfalls.
The path is eroded and wet in places, but there are beautiful views across Loch Broom on a fine day.
Terrain - Indistinct path which is often wet after rainfall, some steep sections. Grade 2 Distance 2.5km (1.6 miles) Ascent 228m (748ft)
THE GREAT WILDERNESS CHALLENGE
The mountains between Dundonnell and Loch Maree is where the thousands of people from around the world, descend on the village of Poolewe and surrounding villages during August, to take part in The Great Wilderness Challenge. A spectacular and massive event which raises funds for local charities, the main recipient is The Highland Hospice. The course has 7, 13 and 25 miles walks and runs; the latter, not for the feint hearted. Langridge Highland Home is the perfect base for this event, being only a couple of miles away from the start of the 25 mile race in Dundonnell, 21 miles away from the starting point in Aultbea and 19 miles away from the starting point in Poolewe.
CORRIESHALLOCH GORGE
Corrieshalloch means ‘Ugly Hollow’ in Gaelic, but there is nothing ugly about this National Nature Reserve.
Cut as far back as 2.6 million years ago by Ice Age glacial meltwater. The River Droma forges through the gorge, dramatically dropping 100 metres in just 1.25 km through a series of waterfalls which includes the 45m high Falls of Measach. The Victorian suspension bridge was built by Sir John Fowler (one of the chief engineers behind the Forth Bridge).
The cantilevered viewing platform is breath-taking.
The landscape of the gorge can be treacherous, especially after rain, so do take care, and make sure that dogs and children are kept under close supervision.
The National Trust for Scotland has managed Corrieshalloch Gorge since 1945.
Facilities and Location: Car park on the A832 off the Dingwall/Ullapool Road at Braemore Junction. This is an unmanned site and has no visitor facilities but there is comprehensive interpretation both at the entrance and along the circular Lady Fowler’s Walk.
INVEREWE GARDENS
A subtropical oasis featuring a visitor centre and Restaurant where you can enjoy a bite to eat, or stroll the walled gardens filled with exotic plants.
Rare species thrive in this heritage garden as the effects of the Gulf Stream meet the Highlands.
Inverewe Garden is a botanical garden located just to the north of Poolewe and noted for the breadth of its collection. Created from barren land in 1862 by Osgood MacKenzie on the 850-hectare estate bought for him by his mother.
The original Inverewe Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1914 and replaced in 1937 by the current Inverewe House. The Garden covers some 20 hectares (50 acres) and has over 2,500 exotic plants and flowers. There is a further 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of land managed for recreation and conservation. The garden and estate has been the property of the NTS since it was given to the Trust along with a generous endowment for its future upkeep by Osgood's daughter Mairi Sawyer in 1952.