Island Cottage, Lochcarron

There are 2 food shops, a butcher, Post Office and a gift shop in the centre of Lochcarron village, all within a distance of approximately 1.5 miles from Island Cottage.

The Lochcarron Food Centre - our local Spar Shop - will deliver on request an initial supply of food, groceries, etc., just prior to your arrival. Download an order form .....

Lochcarron has 1 hotel, the Lochcarron Hotel which serves very good restaurant and bar meals. The hotel has traditional Real Ale on handpump, with usually at least one ale from Scottish breweries. There is live music on regular occasions.

The Lochcarron Bistro (in the Main Street near the Spar Shop) has gained a well deserved reputation for excellent food.

There is another hotel at Strathcarron, just 3 miles from Lochcarron. The Strathcarron Hotel serves good value-for-money food.

A little further afield are the Carron Restaurant (on the south side of Loch Carron on the way to Attadale), the Kishorn Seafood Bar (approx. 6 miles away), whilst the inns at Applecross, Shieldaig, and Gairloch have all won reputations for their excellent food. The Badachro Inn is also well worth investigating, both for food and Real Ale.

In the Main Street of Lochcarron is the Waterside Cafe which offers both sit-down meals and take away food.

There is a branch of the Bank of Scotland in Lochcarron with an Autoteller (Cashpoint) machine.

The Bank of Scotland is normally open on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

In addition, a Royal Bank of Scotland mobile bank visits the village every Tuesday afternoon.

Lochcarron is some 63 miles due west of Inverness (the capital of the Highlands), and stretches along the north shore of Loch Carron (a sea loch) after which it is named.

A link to a zoomable map is included on the "Useful Links" Page.

By Road

• The quickest route by road for those approaching from the South is via the A9 from Perth to Inverness, and then via the A832 to Achnasheen and the A890/A896 to Lochcarron. This is the route used by most people local to the Lochcarron area when travelling to and from the south of the UK.

• An alternative, more picturesque, westerly route can be taken by using the M8 to skirt Glasgow, and then taking the A82 via Loch Lomond and Glen Coe to Fort William; thence further north to Invergarry, and then via the A87 through Glen Shiel, and finally via the A890/A896 to Strathcarron and Lochcarron. This route is shorter than travelling via Inverness, but is likely to take longer - especially as you will probably wish to keep stopping to look at the scenery!

By Rail

• The nearest railway station to Lochcarron is 3 miles away at Strathcarron on the Inverness/Kyle of Lochalsh line.

• There is a regular daily service from Inverness.

• See our "Useful Links" page for train timetables, etc.

By Air

• The nearest airport is at Inverness (Dalcross), approximately 8 miles east of Inverness.

• There are bus services from the airport into the city centre.

• Car hire is available from the airport.

• See our "Useful Links" page for details of airlines, flight times, etc.

Car hire is available in Lochcarron village from the Lochcarron Garage - tel. 01520 722205.

Additionally, most of the national car hire companies have branches in Inverness and/or at Inverness Airport.

Cycle hire is available in Lochcarron village from the Lochcarron Garage - tel. 01520 722205.

Lochcarron has a 9-hole golf course situated approximately 0.5 mile east of the village.

The course is in a superb setting alongside Loch Carron, with most attractive views across the loch.

Visitors are welcome and clubs are available for hire.

See our "Useful Links" page for more information.

Loch, river, and sea fishing are all available in the area.

A booklet entitled "Lochcarron Fishing" with detailed information about fishing in local hill lochs and rivers is available from Lochcarron & District Business Association (LaDBA) - price £3.50. Contact Kristine MacKenzie on 01520 722882 or Roger Cundiff on 01520 722218 or visit the LaDBA website using the link below.

Lochcarron and the surrounding area is a paradise for those who enjoy walking, whether it be for just an hour's gentle stroll, or alternatively a more adventurous day's hill walking.

There are several circular and linear walks in nearby Glen Carron; one such walk starts from the Tullich Estate, just about 1 mile to the east of Lochcarron village.

A booklet entitled "Lochcarron Walks Guide" is available from Lochcarron & District Business Association (LaDBA) - price £3.60. The booklet provides a guide to some 22 walks in and around the Lochcarron area together with details of visitor amenities. Contact Kristine MacKenzie on 01520 722882  or Roger Cundiff on 01520 722218 or visit the LaDBA website using the link below.