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Applecross is a small remote Village in
northwest Scotland, 80 miles west of Inverness, 27
miles southwest of Torridon, popular for its
Mountain Road, Outdoor Activities,
Inn for Meals, and Views over the Isle of Skye.
The Peninsular is also known as Applecross.
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Click on Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top right is of the Bealach Cafe and Gallery at the
start of the Mountain Road to Applecross named
Bealach na Ba / Pass of the Cattle.
The image second top is looking back down
the Mountain Road at the steepest point. This
part of the road is real steep with hairpin
bends that have to be taken in first gear.
If you have a large camper van or towing
caravan, it may be best to use the coastal road
to Applecross, although that is real steep and
narrow in places as well.
The Viewpoint is at 2,053ft, close to the
top of the top of the 2,539ft / 774m Sgurr a'
Chaorachain mountain, from where there are even
more dramatic views if you hike the top 500ft.
Mountain Hike
Images.
Applecross
Campsite is at the east entrance to the
Village from the Mountain Road. The campsite
has pitches for Tents, Motorhomes, and has
Camping Huts and Caravans for hire.
The small Village of Applecross has a Gift
and Crafts shop at the entrance.
Mountain and Sea
Guides are in the Village centre offering a
wide range of activities such as Sea Kayaking,
Walking, Hiking, and Climbing. They also hire
Kayaks.
The Applecross Inn
is probably the top attraction in the area with
it specializing in Seafood.
Applecross Walled
Garden with a Cafe and Restaurant is one
mile north of the Village.
Applecross House is next to the Walled
Garden that is not open to the public, built
from 1675 for Clan MacKenzie.
The Applecross Heritage
Centre is also about one mile north of the
Village, giving historical information on the
area and old images.
The Coast Road north to Torridon is
about 34 miles passing through a number of
Hamlets. The Coast Road has views over Raasay
Island and the Isle of Skye. This road also has
steep narrow sections, almost as eventful as
the Mountain Road.
Applecross History
500s? - the Pictish name for this Peninsular
was Aporcrosan.
672 - the Irish Saint Maelrubha founded a
Monastery at Applecross.
A number of Churches were built in the area
dedicated to Saint
Maelrubha, including a Chapel on Isle Maree in
Loch
Maree. Loch Maree is 65 miles north of
Applecross with the famous Oak Tree that people
hammer coins into before making a Wish.
Boat Trips.
1675 - Applecross House was built for Clan
MacKenzie.
1817 - the Applecross Parish Church was
built close to where the Monastery was.
1822 - a Gravel road was built over the
Mountain to Applecross Village. Before this
time, the Village could only be reached by
boat.
1850s - Applecross House was bought by the
Duke of Leeds.
1897 - large Ferries began running between
Kyle of Lochalsh 40 miles south of
Applecross and the Isle of Harris, stopping to
pick up passengers at Applecross, with the
passengers having to use small boats to travel
out to the Ferries.
1960s - the Mountain road was surfaced with
Tar. This road can be blocked by snow for a few
months each winter.
1975 - the Coast Road north to Torridon was
completed, leading to Applecross being
accessible most of the year.
1997 - the Applecross Trust gained control
of Applecross House and Estate with the Grounds
and Walled Garden with a Cafe / Restaurant open
to the public.
Today - the Applecross Peninsular attracts
many tourists interested in the more remote
parts of Scotland with small Hamlets. The Coast
Road ends at Toscaig, 4 miles south of
Applecross, where there was a Pier for boat
links to the Peninsular.
2015 - The North Coast 500 driving route was
established, increasing tourism to the
area.
I find going to Applecross first then north
around the North Coast 500 is the best way for
the views and has the sun behind you a lot of
the time.
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