Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: mellon charles

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Back in Wester Ross

Back up in the North West Highlands for our yearly holiday. We couldn't find any suitable accommodation in the Gairloch Area so we booked three nights at The Loch Maree Hotel and then moved on to Balmacara which is near The Kyle of Lochalsh. I thought this would be a good opportunity to let Sal visit The Isle of Skye.

These shots are from our first full day. The first two photos were taken from outside our hotel. The dark foreboding photo of the Loch is taken from above Poolewe as we made our way to Mellon Charles and The Aroma Cafe. We learned that this would be our last visit there as they were selling up and converting the whole building in to a luxury holiday let. Such a shame as a visit there used to be one of the highlights of our holiday but I can understand why.

Firemore Beach on the Loch Ewe peninsula was magnificent as usual, it is one of the hidden gems of the area. It is very rare you meet anyone on the vast sands, I think there may have been a couple walking their dogs the day we went but no-one else in sight for as far as the eye can see.

After a rest back at the hotel, we had a drive out to Opinon Beach in the evening. I love this beach with its views across The Minch to The Isle of Skye and The Hebrides. No two visits are ever the same.

Loch Maree

Loch Ewe from Melon Charles

Firemore Beach

Opinon

Opinon Beach

Hebridean Skies

Just returned from a weeks holiday in the far North West, staying in the idyllic coastal village of Badachro near Gairloch. I've stayed there three times now and done many blogs on the area so, rather than just repeat myself, I've put together a series of shots of the fabulous skies you get up there.

One is of a sunrise taken directly outside our holiday let on the first morning, most of the others are taken around sunset time with just a few taken during the day. All are of the coastline around the Gairloch area and go from Red Point in the south to Mellon Udrigle in the north.

Badachro Sunrise

Gairloch Beach

Skye from Gairloch Beach

Red Point

Sunburst from Opinan Beach

Red Point

Mellon Udrigle

Gairloch Beach

Mellon Udrigle

Skye from Red Point

Gairloch Beach

Melvaig Sky

Cul Mor from Mellon Udrigle

The Torridon Hills across Loch Gairloch

Gairloch Beach

Mellon Charles

Clouds over Skye

Across to Skye from Red Point

Red Point

The Two Mellons and Gairloch Museum

A day out to the finest cafe in the area and then the finest beach...what more could one ask for?

Whenever we are up this way, we always go to The Perfume Factory at Melon Charles, mainly for the coffee and cake. It is not easy to get to but is well worth the effort, being beautifully situated on the edge of Loch Ewe and also having magnificent views all round, weather permitting. I've had some drenching here in the past and came very close to one this day but, experience had given me just a good enough head start to get back to the car in time.

It was then just a short drive up the coast to Melon Udrigle which, I think, is everyone's favourite beach in this area. The views up to The Summer Isles and Coigach and across to An Teallach are simple superb, as is the beach itself and the clear blue waters.

The weather was perfect for photography as well. All around there seemed to be dark brooding squalls but miraculously, we managed to steer clear of them. On our way back to the car I could see one approaching and unfortunately, it was a race we lost but compared to some of the previous drenchings I've had in these parts, this one was relatively mild!

It had been our intention to visit Gruinard Bay as well but the rain looked to have set in for the day so, after sitting in the car for a wee while waiting for it to brighten, we decided to call it a draw and head back to Badachro. One good thing to come out of our early departure was that it gave us the chance to visit the Museum at Gairloch.

Gairloch Museum is located in a converted nuclear bunker with galleries showcasing the history, culture and natural heritage of the beautiful area of the North West Highlands. Displays include the original lens from Rubh Re lighthouse which we visited the previous year, a replica croft house showing how people used to live and an interactive gallery about the area's natural world, midges and all!

Add to that a cafe and what more could you ask for?