At Gairloch

At Gairloch

ID: QZP40_CARD_0463 DESCRIPTION: Gairloch is situated in Wester Ross on the shore of Loch Gairloch. Gairloch comes from the Gaelic 'Gear Loch' meaning short loch. It is only in recent times that the separate settlements along the shore of the loch - Lonemore, Smithstown, Mial, Strath, Auchtercairn and Charlestown - have been known collectively as Gairloch. Until 1843, when the road was built, almost all access to this remote area was by sea. Only now, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, is the A832 being upgraded from a single track road with passing places to a two lane carriageway. Crofting and fishing, particularly cod fishing, used to be the mainstay of the scattered community. Oysters and other shellfish were also harvested for the London market. Crabs, lobsters and prawns are still sent from Gairloch to markets in the south and in Europe. Gairloch though is best known as a holiday resort. Queen Victoria visited Gairloch during her stay at the nearby Loch Maree Hotel in 1877 and since then tourists have been coming to enjoy the fine beaches and wonderful scenery. Steam ships visited regularly during the nineteenth century and the Gairloch Hotel catered for the visitors every need. A golf course was opened in 1898. Today there are hotels and inns, self catering cottages and caravan parks. The area particularly attracts hill walkers and wildlife watchers. Despite the summer invasion there is still a feeling of remoteness and of being on the edge of an unspoilt wilderness. PLACENAME: Gairloch OLD COUNTY/PARISH: ROSS PERIOD: 1920s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Highland Libraries' Postcard Collection Asset ID: 32390 KEYWORDS: