North to Gairloch, Inverewe gardens and beyond.

If you wish to join a nature cruise it may be advisable to check availability before you leave.

Head to Kinlochewe (fuel available here) and turn left towards Gairloch. Past the Bienn Eighe visitors center and up along Loch Maree shore side.

This side of Gairloch, which is a collection of communities rather than a town, there is a small selection of galleries and shops to explore, the trekking center and harbour where the wildlife cruises depart from. Fuel is also available in Gairloch along with a Bank and ATM cash point. Half a mile further north there is a long sweeping sandy beach, below the golf course.

Inverewe gardens are well signposted and positioned just north of Poolewe. The gardens are well worth a visit for anyone with horticultural interest, a quick overview will take a couple of hours. There is a National Trust restaurant and shop that can be accessed from the car park.

If you want to head to the Perfume Studio, continue further north. On a peninsula road on the north shore of Loch Ewe head to Mellon Charles (left at Aultbea). Virtually at the end of the road there is a brand new building to the left, home to the Perfume Studio. Here you will find many wonderfully crafted smellies for sale, including the hand made soaps in your rooms. There is a lovely cafe where you can admire the views back towards the Torridon Mountains.

The journey back to Shieldaig is about 1 and a half hours from here.