Home Destination Guides 7 Day Scotland Itinerary: Tackling the Wester Ross Coastal Trail in 7 Days (SELF DRIVE)

7 Day Scotland Itinerary: Tackling the Wester Ross Coastal Trail in 7 Days (SELF DRIVE)

by Lisa Stentvedt
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Think of a long-distance trail in Scotland or look for a 7 day Scotland itinerary and what comes to mind? The NC500, taking in the northern coastline, probably. Few people talk about the Wester Ross Coastal Trail, yet this is packed with gorgeous scenery to rival anything the NC500 can offer. That’s why this 7 day Scotland driving itinerary covers just that!

It’s the ideal route to tackle by car over seven days. Wild camping is possible in summer. Alternatively, you can book into B&Bs or Airbnb’s along the way. I strongly recommend booking ahead if you can and planning the route for each day in advance.

Every day includes a little driving, but you’ll have plenty of time to explore each section by car and on foot. There is so much beauty to see in Scotland, and by the end of this 7-day itinerary you should have seen a lot of it. Are you ready? Pull on those walking boots and let’s explore.

7 day scotland itinerary applecross views of ocean
Enjoy this 7 day Scotland driving itinerary!

7-Day Scotland Itinerary: Driving the Wester Ross Coastal Trail in 7 days

The itinerary below is split into days, so you can plan each of your 7 days in advance and make the most of them.

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Day 1: Ullapool via Garve to Lochcarron

Ullapool is in Ross and Cromarty. The village sits at the start of the A835 you’ll take towards Inverness. It’s a 90-minute drive from Inverness if you start there. If you do, I recommend heading to Ullapool as it’s a superb village. It sits on the banks of Loch Broom.

It takes around 90 minutes to reach Lochcarron from Ullapool. The A835 takes you along the north-eastern side of Loch Broom. Watch out for Loch Glascarnoch on the right before following the winding road around to Garve.

Garve is just beyond the turning you need to reach the A832. I’d suggest driving a bit further to see Loch Garve if you can, though. You can then complete the day’s drive to Lochcarron. The ruined Strome Castle is a little further ahead on the banks of the loch if you wish to explore it.

View Accommodation Options in Ullapool Here.

Day 2: Lochcarron to Applecross

Fresh from your first night on the trail, it’s time to drive for 45 mins to reach the Applecross peninsula. The highlight is the scenery – every inch of it.

Don’t miss the Bealach na Ba Viewpoint along the way. Some say it is hair-raising, others say it’s the drive of your life. I’d agree with both.

The road is single track, so be considerate of others and use the passing places responsibly. Take your time but be aware of other road users.

Hartfield House or the Applecross Inn awaits you once you’ve reached the end of the journey. The latter is the ideal place for a meal and a drink – you might need one after you’ve driven the route!

Day 3: Applecross to Torridon via the coast

Head out of Applecross towards the Heritage Centre, crossing the River Applecross as you go. The views across Applecross Bay are spectacular.

The road hugs the coast most of the way around to Torridon. It’s the long way, but it’s the most stunning way I know to reach Torridon (a favourite of mine anyway).

The gourmet Applecross Smokehouse is just off this route beyond Kenmore. Check their website before you start your trip to confirm their current opening times. You could pick up a bite to each for lunch. Fish pate, oatcakes, and smoked cheeses are among the delights on offer. Be warned – it’s difficult to pull yourself away!

You could refer to this leg of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail as the Smokehouse Trail. When you curve around the end of Loch Shieldaig, the Loch Torridon Smokehouse is just beyond. It is named after Upper Loch Torridon which meets Loch Shieldaig near this point. This is the place for oak smoked salmon if you have a thing for that. If not, you soon will.

Torridon itself is at the other end of the loch. You’ll pass Ben Damph Estate on the way, and I’d recommend stopping there for a few hours. There is a great network of footpaths and trails taking you around some of the 14,500 acres of mountains, rivers, forests, and… well, everything else wild Scotland can offer.

View accommodation in Torridon here.

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Day 4: Torridon to Kinlochewe

Take time for a hearty breakfast before leaving Torridon, especially if you took my advice to explore Ben Damph Estate the day before.

You’ll be at Kinlochewe in under 30 minutes, but you’ll want most of the day to explore. The A896 connects the two places. Look out for the Liathach Parking spot just before the halfway point. It’s a small gravelled parking area offering a quick photo stop.

From there, head for the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve to spend the day ahead. Kinlochewe is at the end of the A896 at a T-junction. Turn left onto the A832 – the Wester Ross Coastal Trail and the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre are signposted just before the junction.

If you fancy exploring, choose from the Buzzard and Pinecone Trails. Both are laid out from the visitor centre.

Find accommodation in Kinlochewe here.

Day 5: Kinlochewe to Gairloch

Another short day in the car with plenty to explore along the way. You’ll reach Gairloch half an hour after leaving Kinlochewe. The route takes you along the A832 beside Loch Maree, the road lined by trees and rocks.

Gairloch gets its name from Loch Gairloch, on whose banks it sits. Gairloch is typical of a Scottish village – a small place that is big in character. If beaches are your thing, don’t miss Big Sand. You can guess why it got that name. when the weather plays ball, you can enjoy views across to Skye and Raasay.

The whitewashed Gairloch Museum is in the centre of the village and worth a look. There’s a café on the first floor where everything is served with a view!

Browse places to stay in Gairloch here!

Day 6: Gairloch to Tournaig and Loch Ewe

When departing Gairloch, you’ll only need to drive for 15 mins to reach the next stop. The A832 takes you right past the end of Loch Ewe and the smaller Loch Thurnaig that joins it.

On the way, you may wish to stop at Inverewe Garden. the estate is open daily, but opening hours vary for the garden, visitor centre, and shop. There is a Bothy Café to visit too. Plenty available for visitors of all kinds.

This is the place to go if you want to see some California redwoods without heading out to America. The estate is famous for offering sightings of some of Scotland’s most famous animals and birds, including red deer and golden eagles.

Day 7: Tournaig to Ullapool (last day of the 7 day Scotland itinerary!)

You can complete the final day’s drive in just over an hour. Gruinard Beach is a nice stopping point just past Little Gruinard. There is a short walk (under two miles) that takes you from the beach car park up the glen to reach the Eas Dubh Falls. The route and instructions are available via the popular WalkHighlands website.

Once you leave there, you’ll swing around towards Little Loch Broom. Away from the coast, stop for a few hours at Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve just before you get back to the A835.

The nature reserve is unmissable. The route I’ve covered takes in many of the most stunning sights in this part of Scotland. And yet you’ll likely agree I’ve left the best for last.

Your exploration of the reserve should include a walk across the Corrieshalloch Bridge. It is suspended and sways a bit if the wind gets up. You’ll need a head for heights, but it is worth any chance of a queasy stomach.

You can also try the viewing platform built over the mile-long gorge. You can view the suspension bridge from here, along with the falls that tumble over the rock beneath. A couple of short walks can be combined to provide a winding path through some of the highlights of the reserve.

Leaving the nature reserve, turn left and follow the A835 back to Ullapool. Spend the final night of your trip in Ullapool before heading back to Inverness the following day. Or Glasgow, or Edinburgh, or wherever else you call home! You’ll take back some incredible memories with you.

About the author: Graham Grieve is a Scottish blogger who has long been an advocate of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail over more traditional Scottish road trips such as the NC500 or the Glasgow to Fort William route. Graham goes to Ullapool with his family yearly and they regularly do sections of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail. Graham’s favourite place in Scotland is Torridon (see day 4). You can keep up to date with his travels at My Voyage Scotland.

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