Location
Kishorn is one of the most beautiful, unspoilt gems on the West Coast of Scotland and an outstanding holiday location. The spectacular scenery, the wildlife, the sea and the welcome guarantee you will be back for more!
Applecross has a fascinating Heritage Centre detailing the history of the area from Mesolithic times to the present day. On the road to Shieldaig, stop off at Shards stained glass studio selling suncatchers to hang in your window, plus larger panels to commission, and Croft Wools selling handweaving, knitwear and handspun yarns. There are also various excellent places to eat in Applecross, including the multi-award winning Applecross Inn, which provides delicious meals, specialising in locally caught seafood and a very welcoming, cosy atmosphere after a few hours out in the fresh air.
If you have an interest in history then there are many day trips which you would find rewarding. The Clan Donald Centre (home of the chief of the Clan Macdonald) is an hours drive away at Armadale on the Isle of Skye (no bridge tolls now!). Dunvegan Castle (home of the chief of the clan Macleod) is also on Skye and well worth a visit for the castle, gardens and boat trip on the loch to see the seals.
The Glenelg brochs (prehistoric forts) give a fascinating insight into the history of the west of Scotland and close by is the site of Gavin Maxwell's home where he wrote "Ring Of Bright Water".
A trip to the Highland capital, Inverness, can incorporate a visit to Culloden Moor, the site of the battle of Culloden in 1746, where there is an information centre. The Inverness museum is well worth a visit.
There are distilleries open to the public in many locations - the most famous being the Talisker distillery at Carbost on Skye and the Glen Ord distillery at Muir of Ord on the way to Inverness.
Gairloch, a little further up the coast towards Ullapool, is a picturesque, traditional fishing village with a harbour, long quiet sandy beach and a golf course. This can be enjoyed by travelling via the beautiful Loch Maree on the way to the famous Inverewe Gardens .
Wildlife abounds in this unspoilt wilderness. Golden eagles, sea eagles, otters, buzzards, kites, deer, seals, dolphins and porpoises are often seen here and a pair of binoculars is a must when looking out over the loch from the lodges. A spectacular boat trip to see the seals on Kishorn Island is available from Plockton (home of the T.V series "Hamish Macbeath") after a good lunch in the pub garden under the palm trees (yes really!) overlooking lochs Kishorn and Lochcarron.
Bikes are available to hire either by the day or the week (contact John and Sally ) and there are many activities available locally such as guided walks, kayaking, pony trekking, boat hire, fishing and golf.
If you are staying in the Loch ness area then we would recommend this luxury apartment in Fort Augustus Abbey
Directions to Pine Lodge and Woodside Lodge
From Inverness take the A9 North to Tore roundabout.Turn left onto the A835 signposted Ullapool. Continue on the A835 past Garve and turn left on to the A832 to Achnasheen. Turn left again onto the A890 to Lochcarron and then on to Kishorn. Turn left towards Achintraid which is 1 mile. Once in Achintraid there are signs for Pine Lodge and Woodside Cottage on the left after 200 yards.