Things to do- highlands (gairloch)

[Michellexxx]

Hi,
We’re potentially going to gairloch fairly soon. We’ve been a couple of times (family home) and it’s beautiful.
However, we have you children and find it difficult to find things to do which aren’t outside for hours. Last time we were there, we were lucky with the weather and spent time on the beaches.
It takes us a long time to get there- 6hours- and it’s arduous with such small kids. So we’re debating whether to go as the weather isn’t looking too great.
Does anyone have any advice on good activities for under 5’s around there?
Thanks!

Haven't been for 12 plus years and when we went my kids were a bit older (7-11). Can't remember anything inside if you don't count Inverewe house and restaurants/cafes. My lot were happy to dig about the rock pools in the rain, go on a boat trip and run around Inverewe Gardens (I think there was a kids sheet of things to do from reception). Husband played golf and took them on the course as it was empty and let them putt. Maybe someone local will have better knowledge. Ask your family members as sometimes hotels let non guests use their leisure facilities.

There are not many wet weather options, other than going out in the rain. But it's not meant to be too cold, so that's probably going to be OK. Have you got a nice place to stay with decent amount of indoor space and drying facilities? If so, I'd still go - it's really lovely up there.

If weather is mixed, try going to 'beaches with a walk'. Or walks with 'throwing stones places' on the river or lochside.

There's a small swimming pool at Poolewe. Opening hours are limited and it's got a small capacity - look it up to find out how it's working under covid.

There are some cafes - Badachro, Gairloch, Poolewe (?), Inverewe, Kinlochewe.

There's a pony trekking place (by the harbour).

If you're up for 'a drive with scenery', then Torridon & stop for a walk at Loch Clair.

See if Big Sands has got wet weather ideas on their website?

(This based on several holidays in the area, but not been for a couple of years now).

Puddle suits and get outside? Lots of activities are booked solid with covid protocols so check in advance before traveling to them

Might your children enjoy the whale spotting boat trips ?? They might be a bit young.

We want to go there very soon, has anyone got recommendations where to stay, like a nice b&b?

Also you can go crabbing - definitely at Badachro harbour but probably many other possible places. You basically need somewhere with a slipway or concrete/stoney wall, go as tide coming in. My kids would do that every day of holiday (as did I as a kid 😁) and twice a day if the tide works. Crabs love the rain!

You just need some string/line, a weight (stone or something off the beach works), bait (bit of bacon rind) and a bucket.

Bet there's geocaching about too.

Thanks for the tips. My youngest is 1, so she really wouldn’t manage crabbing/rocks very well. We’ve done the beaches and walks on previous trips.
The house is a 4bed with views to the sea, so lovely but we’ve found it very weather dependent with such small children! The weather is looking ok-ish.. we’re still undecided tbh. Having spent so long outside for the past 18months, being stuck in the cold with young kids again isn’t tempting!

@ssd

We want to go there very soon, has anyone got recommendations where to stay, like a nice b&b?

We've usually stayed in self catering places. Also camped or hired caravan at Big Sands a couple of times.

The Torridon Inn looks fantastic if in budget, or their basic rooms bit was brilliant when we stayed overnight once. That's closer to Shieldaig than Gairloch - which is a great holiday location, more accessible for Applecross and good for Torridon walking as well as stuff around Lochcarron.

I hear you with such young children!

My only additional suggestion might be to get a good backpack that the 1yo will go in and do all the same walks again, whilst also praying to the nap gods that she will sleep in buggy while you hang out in cafes a bit??

Also mine started their particular interest in 'throwing stones in the water' as soon as they could hold a stone, and they are now teens with epic stone-skimming and cricket bowling skills. You could start the investment in similar skills this summer

Good luck!

For anyone with older kids I can really recommend Ewe canoe for an outing on the sea.

Beaches at Redpoint are stunning but no facilities so not ideal with little ones.

Thanks again. My husband is erring towards leaving it for this summer. We can, luckily, head up whenever but trying to find things to do with young children seems to be impossible- unless we can spend the day at the beach, which is looking unlikely.

Where are you travelling from? Is it worth (as the house is free and available to you any time), driving via somewhere with more kid friendly options and having a night or two in a Premier Inn, then up to the house for a couple of nights, then similar on the route home.

A trip to the Highland Wildlife Park (Kingussie) on the way up, the Landmark Park on the way down etc

Thanks

There is a glass bottom boat trip operating out of Gairloch which we did a few years ago and was amazing, you see so much on the bottom of the loch and we spotted seals and an otter too.

There is an interesting beach area at Mellon Charles (at the end of the road) with a wee cafe, perfume shop and you can walk along the track to the old WW2 gun placements if your kids are of the age to be interested.

Beach at Mellon Udrigle is just spectacular.

There is a small but good heritage museum in Gairloch and Inverewe is worth a visit if you have NTS membership.

There is a swimming pool in Poolewe for wet days.