Recently I went on a trip around Wester Ross, Skye, Harris and Lewis as part of a partnership to promote the #WestCoastWaters Campaign.  The aim of my trip was firstly to explore the road less travelled and I previously wrote a blog post with details of how I tried to achieve this on a west coast Scotland road trip.

The second aim was to find ways of slowing down and immersing my senses in the coastal landscape.  This involved trying out a number of water and coastal themed activities including sea kayaking, pony trekking, boat trips, wildlife watching, coastal walks and eating ALL the seafood!

I've put together a list of 15 activities that are readily available in the areas I visited and but they are also available throughout the west coast in general.  It is not a definitive list and I've added a few more options at the bottom but these suggestions should be enough to give you plenty of ideas to create your own unique Scottish west coast adventure.

These are my recommendations and you can just skip to the sections you are most interested in to find out more details on the activities and providers in Wester Ross, Skye, Lewis and Harris.

Taking a trip to one of Scotland's stunning west coast beaches is the easiest way for anyone to enjoy the coast and it is absolutely free.  Whether you want to feel the sand between your toes, build a castle, do some beach-combing or even go for a paddle, the areas featured in this blog have some of the best beaches in Scotland to choose from.  The best part - they are never crowded!

These are some of my favourites beaches in the area but there are plenty more to choose from -

• In Wester Ross you will find beautiful sandy bays at Achmelvich, Achnahaird, Mellon Udrigle, Big Sands and Applecross.

 

• In Skye head to Claigan Coral Beach, Talisker Beach, Camas Dariach, Glenbrittle or hunt for dinosaur footprints at Staffin Beach.

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• Lewis has some giant sweeping beaches, look out for Traigh Mhor, Uig, Eoropie, Reef and Dail Beag beaches.

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• The beaches of Harris regularly get voted as some of the best in the UK and even the world!  The most famous include Luskentyre, Seilebost, Hushinish, Horgabost and Scarista.

Another free and easy way to enjoy the west coast of Scotland is to follow one of the many coastal walking trails.  There are loads of options for all levels of abilities and far too many to mention here.  Personally I find the Walkhighlands website to be an excellent resource, not just for coastal routes but walks all over Scotland.

However, here are a few suggestions of my own -

• In Wester Ross take a walk to Rhue Lighthouse near Ullapool.  The path runs for about 3/4 miles from the car park although you could opt to walk the 6 1/2 mile return walk along the coast from Ullapool if you feel more adventurous.  This is a fabulous spot to watch the sunset.

 

• ​Further reading - My recommended things to do in Ullapool

 

• On Skye take a walk to the ruins of Dunscaith Castle on the Sleat Peninsula.   Park in the lay-by on the main road at Tokavaig and walk along the track towards the single white cottage before following the shore towards the obvious castle remains.  The ruins of what once must have been an impressive coastal structure are perched dramatically on a big lump of rock on the shores of Loch Eishort.

 

• On Lewis follow the coastal path from the Bridge to Nowhere near Tolsta Village.  You could potentially walk for over 12 miles to the village of Lionel, however I just walked part of the route and returned back the same way.  During my walk I spotted minke whales, dolphins and porpoises which is why I have recommended this route - just don't forget your binoculars like I did!

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• On Harris, Renish Point is another good option for spotting marine wildlife.  The 5 mile circular route from Rodel passes an old church, clifftop views and a great viewpoint that takes in many of the surrounding islands.

Recently I undertook an epic adventure around the North West Highlands and Islands on a west coast Scotland road trip.  Starting in Wester Ross, I crossed over the sea to Skye before taking a ferry to Harris and continuing on my journey to Lewis.  The circular driving route around the west of Scotland eventually brought me back to Wester Ross where I finished off my trip at one of my favourite places.

This particular road trip took me through some of the most attractive parts of the country and some places that I thought I knew pretty well but it turned out there was plenty more for me still to discover. This was a journey with a difference as it was part of partnership to promote the #WestCoastWaters Campaign which encourages visitors to take the roads less travelled around western Scotland and find ways to immerse their senses along way.  

I do believe that too many people rush around Scotland trying to tick as many things off as possible and don't take the time to really absorb their surroundings so I relished the opportunity to slow down and explore in bite-size chunks.

​Although this west coast route will take you through some of the most popular Scottish tourist haunts, it will also take you off the beaten track and provide you with an original itinerary for exploring these well known places. 

It is worth noting that I started in the north of Wester Ross and travelled south, however this itinerary can easily be adapted so you start in the south at Plockton, cross to Skye and include the Wester Ross section at the end of your trip. 

It is also worth adding that I did this trip in 9 days due to time constraints, however I would make it a 2 week itinerary if you can by adding extra nights in Ullapool, Gairloch, Plockton, Skye and Harris.

I really like Ullapool, it is an attractive little town with whitewashed cottages lining the shores of Loch Broom.  It has lots of quality independent shops and nice places to eat and drink which makes it a popular base for tourists visiting this part of Scotland.  In fact, I have spent 2 separate holidays there myself recently and thoroughly enjoyed both.

​The town has a long connection with the sea and was originally founded as a herring port in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society.  Although the industry has declined, fishing still remains at the heart of the town and the Ullapool Museum is a great place to find out more about the history.

I arrived on a warm September day and the waterfront was lined with fellow tourists soaking up the autumnal sun.  I joined them for a while, sitting at a picnic table with a harbour view and snacked on my tasty haddock wrap from The Seafood Shack.  A place I regularly buy lunch from when I'm in the area.

Although Ullapool can be a busy wee place, it is still possible to find a little oasis of quiet just a short distance from the town.  I took the small ferry boat from nearby Ardmair jetty to Isle Martin, which is currently uninhabited and looked after by the community of Lochbroom and Coigach.  Although no-one has lived permanently on the island since 1949, many people have lived and worked on Isle Martin over the previous centuries.

There is a little museum, walking trails and a quiet beach with views over to the Summer Isles.  It definitely ticked my criteria of taking the road less travelled and getting a new perspective on a familiar place.  Sitting on a rock with a 360 degree view of the surrounding loch, mountains and islands was also the perfect spot to immerse my senses.

I didn't put myself under any pressure to rush around exploring everything in the Ullapool area. Instead I was happy to spend a bit longer on Isle Martin to gain a deeper understanding of the history and people who once called this island home.  I do recommend adding another night in Ullapool if you can and I have listed more things to do in the area below.

FURTHER READING - More things to do in and around Ullapool 

WHERE I STAYED - Aschcroft Bed & Breakfast in Letters was just perfect.  Natasha is a brilliant host and the space is beautiful, clean and comfortable.  The self contained apartment has 2 large bedrooms, a sitting room and shower room.  A connecting door to the kitchen of the main house provides access for making drinks and this is also where breakfast is served which was generous and delicious.

Natasha's dog was my new best friend and I actually felt sad leaving her!  If you like to temporarily adopt dogs on your holiday then this is the place for you!  The accommodation is also situated in a quiet area overlooking the loch which meant I got a great night's sleep.

I highly recommend staying here and if you've not used Airbnb before you can get a £25 discount off your first booking with my personal discount link.

A day trip to Bute is a great choice for an outing from Glasgow.  In just over 90 minutes you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some island tranquillity.  The Isle of Bute is often overlooked in favour of better known Scottish islands but it has a unique charm all of it's own.

Although one day won't be enough to take in all the history, wildlife and activities that Bute has to offer, it will certainly give you a flavour of the island and a reason to return.

There are two ferry route options to the Isle of Bute, one at the more secluded north end of the island and one that takes you to the main town of Rothesay.  If you are travelling over for a day, the easiest option is the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry route.

The cheapest and most convenient way to get there is by public transport.  A one hour train journey from Glasgow Central Station runs direct to the CalMac ferry terminal at Wemyss Bay Station.  From there, a 35 minute connecting ferry ride takes you to Rothesay, the main town on Bute. This makes it one of the most accessible islands to get to in Scotland.  Buying a combined rail and sail ticket from the station or on the train can potentially save you money.

There is also the option to drive to Wemyss Bay and leave your vehicle in the car park at the train station although be aware there is a charge and spaces are quite limited.

​If you are only going on a day trip to the Isle of Bute, then there really is no need to take a vehicle across on the ferry unless you really want to. My recommended suggestions can all be easily visited on foot or by using public transport.

The island is also popular with cyclists so you may even want to bring your bike across and explore on two wheels.

Bute is the little west coast island oasis that I called home for 5 years.  Knowing all that it has to offer has made it difficult to narrow down the list of places you should visit in a day.  However, I feel that visiting an island should be a relaxing experience and I think my suggested things to do find a balance between exploring some interesting attractions and taking the day at an easy pace.  Hopefully you will leave feeling not only chilled out but with a little bit of knowledge about this historical Scottish island and a yearning to come back.

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I recommend spending the morning exploring Rothesay itself as there is more than enough to keep you busy.  First stop as you leave the ferry terminal should be the Victorian Toilets, yes I know that might sound like a weird suggestion but you will hopefully thank me for it.  

The toilets date back to 1899 when Rothesay was a fashionable and popular seaside holiday resort.  The decor, fixture and fittings are almost completely original to the day they were built and are quite special to see.  Although it is the gent's lavatories that are the real attraction, ladies can visit too, just check with the attendant that they are empty first!  There is a small entry charge.

Next, take a short walk to The Discovery Centre which is housed in the old Winter Gardens.  Here you will find tourist information and a free multi-media exhibition that explains some of the history of Bute.  It is only a few minutes from the ferry terminal and a great introduction to the island.

If the sun is shining,  take a stroll along the Esplanade, admire the beautiful flower displays and the views over the Firth of Clyde to the mainland.  You can even enjoy a shot on the putting green or take a seat by the pretty fountain.

Rothesay is the main town on the Isle of Bute and also the place that, until last year, I called home for the previous 5 years.  The town has lots to offer day trippers and holidaymakers will find it an ideal base for exploring the rest of the island.  To help make the most of your time, I've put together a list of my recommended things to do in Rothesay below.

The town is famous as a once thriving seaside resort, particularly for Glaswegians who would head 'doon the watter' to Bute for their holidays.  Like many British seaside resorts, package holidays to sunnier climes brought about a downturn in the economy.  

Today it suffers from a bit of an identity crisis.  While some tired looking premises rely on nostalgia to survive, a host of new local businesses catering for a quality driven generation of travellers have opened in recent years. 

Rothesay can be reached in just over 90 minutes from Glasgow, making it one of the most accessible island escapes in Scotland.  The ferry to Bute leaves from Wemyss Bay on the mainland and for those not wanting to drive, a train runs directly to Wemyss Bay from Glasgow Central Station.

The Isle of Bute has many more attractions worth visiting outside of the main town but I'll tackle them in a future blog post.  For now, this article hopefully provides plenty of inspiration and options for those wondering what to do in Rothesay.

If you're up early, you might just catch a 'buteiful' Rothesay sunrise