Over The Windy Pass to Lower Diabaig

Another day of mixed weather. As we left Badachro it was quite nice but it had clouded over by the time we reached Loch Maree. We had the odd shower as we drove down Torridon but nothing too drastic. Thankfully the Torridon Stores cafe was open so we had a coffee each and sat on one of the benches outside which was no imposition as the view is fantastic.

It started raining again as we set off for our final destination, Lower Diabaig. The narrow road followed the right hand side of Loch Torridon before rising up in a series of zig-zags to a pass named Bealach na Gaoithe which is Gaelic for The Pass of the Wind. The views back across Upper Loch Torridon and over to Applecross were stunning even though they were hampered a bit by the cloud and rain squalls sweeping across but on a clear day I reckon you could see for mile after mile.

The road then continued towards Loch Daibaigas Airde where we had even more superb albeit terrifying views. If you are afraid of heights then I'd recommend not to look down to the Loch as it is far, far below the road and it looks a pretty sheer drop!

The rest of the journey down to Lower Diabaig was very pleasant as the rain had stopped and it was brightening up. Lower Diabaig consisted of a lovely collection of cottages dotted on the hill-side and alongside the road which eventually lead down to the pier. There was lots more evidence that in the past it had been quite a busy fishing village and I think a few locals still fish from there but it is mainly oyster fishing. There was old fishing huts boarded up and also one or two run down cottages that were just screaming out for a bit of restoration, it was such a shame.

There was also a shipwreck just offshore called The Dayspring which broke its moorings during a hurricane in 2005 and ended up in the bay. Each time I visit there seems to be less and less remaining which I should imagine bears testament to the weather and storms this area often gets. It still makes for a cracking photo though.

There is no way out of Lower Diabaig other than the way you come in so we retraced our footsteps all the way back to Badachro. A path does lead from Lower Diabaig along the coast to Red Point, a distance of some 8 miles and then Red Point is only 5.5 miles from Badachro but unfortunately the road journey is 40 miles! In good weather it is a beautiful 40 miles but the rain had moved in so it was a pretty grim drive back to the cottage.