~ Loch Carron, Stromeferry, Loch Kishorn, Loch Coultrie ~

~ Loch Carron ~

Glen Carron runs all the way from Achnasheen, turning into Strathcarron at the head of the loch. Its majestic shoreline is lined with the colours of gorse in spring and heather in autumn.

The Strome Ferry, which used to transport vehicles across Loch Carron in order to travel North, and was a well-known traffic bottle-neck, no longer exists, as a road has been built along the east coast of Loch Carron. Over a hundred years ago, a ship, the S S Ferret was based at Strome Ferry. It was a strong ship, weighing 346 tons, and it transported much of the supplies for the nearby islands, as the railway line terminated at Strome Ferry. In 1880, it was reported missing, feared to be lost sea. However, the following year, a policeman from Glasgow spotted the ship in Melbourne, Australia. It was discovered that Ferret had been stolen in the Clyde, sailed to Cardiff for stocks of coal, then sailed to Gibraltar, doubling back in the Mediterranean, and then crossing the Atlantic to Brazil, and then to Melbourne where an attempt was made to sell her. Thanks to the policeman, the plot was foiled, and the thieves were imprisoned. The S S Ferret was finally wrecked in a storm in 1920.

~ Gorse on the banks of Loch Carron ~

Looking over Loch Kishorn provides spectacular views of both the Isle of Skye, and Beallach na Ba (The Pass of the Cattle) on the Applecross peninsular.

Kishorn was well-known 150 years ago because of the "Kishorn Dwarfs" These three people, two brothers and sister, were no more than 45 inches tall, although they had been born to parents of normal size. They were discovered by a travelling company of players and taken to London where they performed before the Queen, wearing Mackenzie tartan, and singing Gaelic songs. There is a memorial stone to them in the old churchyard at Lochcarron.

~ Loch Kishorn with views of Skye ~

The freshwater Loch Coultrie nestles in the glen to the north of Kishorn, and on a still morning, is one of the most peaceful places in Scotland. From the banks of the loch we get views of Benn Damh and our first glimpse of the distant Torridon Hills.

~ Loch Coultrie with views of Beinn Damf and the Torridon Hills ~

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