See the Highlands - Guided railway and minibus tours from Inverness to Applecross, Shieldaig and Torridon

Suggested Tours starting from Invergordon and Inverness

One of the several cruise ships which put in to the port of Invergordon during cruises around the coast of Scotland.

Tour 4 - Wild West Coast Scotland

Note: a modified version of this tour can also be taken in conjunction with a rail trip on the famous Kyle Line. See Tour 5 for more information.

Your tour starts at 9am from Invergordon Cruise Terminal or from Inverness, heading out through the Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer and past Loch Garve, the landscape gradually getting wilder the further west we go. At Achnasheen, we turn left and head down through Glen Carron to the picturesque village of Lochcarron - shown below. This is the point at which we first reach the West Coast, as Loch Carron is an inlet of the sea.

A view of the Main Street in Lochcarron. This is the first place we reach on the West Coast during our tour of Wild West Coast Scotland.

Leaving Lochcarron we head up and over the famous Bealach na Ba, the Pass of the Cattle (shown below) on the way to Applecross.

The road from Kishorn to Applecross climbs up the famous Bealach na Ba, the Pass of the Cattle.

This is reputedly the highest road in Britain, climbing to an altitude of 2,053 feet above sea level. From the car park at the top there is a dramatic view across the Inner Sound to Raasay and the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye. We stop here for photographs.

The car park at the top of the Bealach na Ba is 2,053 feet above sea level. From there can be seen dramatic views of Raasay and the Isle of Skye.

Continuing Tour 4, on the far side of the Bealach the road drops down steadily back to sea level, reaching the pretty little village of Applecross, a peaceful haven after the high drama of the Applecross tops.

Some views as seen from the Applecross Coast Road which follows the Applecross Peninsula from Applecross right round to Shieldaig.

After leaving Applecross village, we continue north around the coast road, passing a number of small settlements on the way and many magnificent views across to the islands of Raasay, Rona and Skye. After rounding the northern tip of the peninsula, the views change and we can now see the superb mountain scenery of the Torridon Hills. The view below shows the pretty little village of Shieldaig as seen from the Applecross Coast Road.

The pretty little village of Shieldaig as seen from the Applecross Coast Road.

Eventually we reach the junction with the A896 about a mile from Shieldaig. From there, we then head through Shieldaig towards Torridon. The photo below shows a view of the mountain called Liathach as seen from the foreshore at Annat near Torridon.

This photo shows a view of the mountain called Liathach as seen from the foreshore at Annat near Torridon.

We now head inland through Glen Torridon and the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve and then to Achnasheen via Glen Docherty, and finally back to our departure point, stopping at Rogie Falls to stretch our legs if time permits.

Suggested Cruise Ship Tours

Applecross, Shieldaig and Torridon

Cruise Ship Tours

Suggested Tours starting from Invergordon and Inverness

John's 8-Seater Minibus

Cruise Ship Tours

Cawdor Castle

Whisky Tours

Spectacular Coastal & Mountain Scenery

Railway Tours

Suggested Tours starting from Invergordon and Inverness

Tour 4 - Wild West Coast Scotland

Useful Links