February 2026.
We have set out below a few things that you maylike to do while staying in Mellon Charles. There is more information at www.visitwester-ross.com
Sunday Closures
Please note that most shops and cafes are closed on Sundays including fuel stations although there is a self service pump at Gairloch garage and at Laide.
Aultbea
There is a small local shop at Aultbea about three miles form Mellon Charles and which you pass on the way. Check opening times as they vary and it is not open on Sundays. The Aultbea Hotel has a bar and bar food is available on some nights. .
Co Op, Tesco and Morrisons
The Coop has recently opened a store at Gairloch which is a great new facility. Tescos will deliver to Mellon Charles and a pick up point in Dundonall and Morrisons to a pick up point in Gairloch. but you will need to plan ahead to get a slot booked.
Atlantic Convoy Exhibition
There is an exhibition centre about the sea convoys to Russia in the Second World War which started from Loch Ewe. It is at the northern junction of the A832 and the road into Aultbea. There is more information at https://www.visitwester-ross.com/members/russian-arctic-convoy-museum-aultbea.asp
Gairloch Museum
Am historic second world war Anti-aircraft Operations Room has been renovated to create a brilliant new home for Gairloch Musem. There is also a good cafe there . More information at https://www.gairlochmuseum.org/.
Walking
There are many many walks of varying degrees of difficulty in Wester Ross.
Ewe Canoe
If you would like to go canoeing on the Loch, while we have not tried them guests have recommended Ewe Canoe who are in Mellon Charles. Contact Connor, details below;
07980 588467
If you can’t contact him directly by phone he suggests you text him and he will call you as soon as he can.
Garages and Fuel
There is a good garage (Forbes Garage) near the Aultbea Hotel but it does not sell fuel. The nearest fuel stations are Laide and Gairloch.
Poolewe
There is a good cafe in the Poolhouse on the shore and Bridge Cafe . The Tuesday Market in the Community Hall in the Summer can have some interesting food and gifts. The famous National Trust Inverewe Gardens are also at Poolewe. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/inverewe
Gairloch
As well as the new Co op Gairloch has an excellent book shop and the Farm and Garden Store, which is essentially a hardware store, also has a good food section. There is also a garage .
A little further out from Gairloch is the Barachro Inn.
Black Pearl Creole
This started as a pop up creole food takeaway but is now based in Gairloch. There is more information as to the food and opening hours on their website.
Beaches
Mellon Charles
Boom beach from where the “boom” used to prevent German submarines entering the Loch was managed in WWII is a short walk to the south from Rowantree Cottage.
Mellon Udrigle.
This is a very popular and pretty beach. To get there return to the A832 and at Laide turn left by the garage and follow the road to the car park by the beach.
Gruinard Beach
This is further along the A832 with a car park beside the road.
Firemore Beach
This is the beach you can see on the opposite side of the Loch from Mellon Charles. Take the A832 south to Poolewe and just after the bridge turn right and follow the road along the side of the Loch.
Slaggan Beach
This is a beautiful remote beach where rumour has it that the Queen used to picnic, when cruising in Scotland on Britannia. It can be accessed by a track from the road to Mellon Udrigle but its very rough so its either a walk of several kilometres or I have seen 4×4 vehicles at the beach. There is also an abandoned village of ruined stone houses near the beach and a bigger house with just the gable end walls standing.
It is also possible to walk to this beach from Mellon Charles. Continue on the “main” road through Mellon Charles to the end of the tarmac the follow the track up the hill and either around the coast or over the hill. A map, walking boots. and suitable gear are advised as some of the route is very rough and steep.
Rowantree Cottage 