Loch Maree, Gairloch

Beautiful loch to be able to explore by canoe / Kyak. The Loch is very deceptive in terms of wind and water movement. Drifting between some of the islands can be very choppy and unnerving. Wind direction and weather can change in minutes so be prepared. As long as you prepare you will enjoy thoroughly! We camped on the opposite bank to the picnic carpark and were greeted with beautiful gravel beaches, rocky out crops and stunning scenery. There is a code of conduct for loch Maree and that is no camping on the islands ( they were very boggy anyway ) no staying on an island for more than 30 mins. Still plenty to explore and absorb.

Stunning!!! We drove that awesome road to the Loch Maree, and we had to stop the car in the panoramic point to contemplate that view 😍😍😍😍😍

Great sunny weather , slight breeze which meant no midges and a very relaxing 2/3 Kayaking before setting off and continuing the NC500.

This was one of the most memorable Lochs we canoed on during our trip to Scotland. Beautiful place, with plenty of islands to explore and amazing scenery - historic Isle Maree in particular. Isle Maree is just off the North East tip of Eilean Subhainn and can be seen as a small triangular Isle on the map (now named as "Eilean Maolruibhe (Isle Maree)" on Google Maps). There's plenty written about the Isle, including a Viking Prince, Chapel remains, Saint Máel Ruba, a Druids stone circle, a Holy Well and the Wish Tree. We set off with kind permission for parking, from Hotel Maree - (a great location for a meal or stay) and headed off towards the South West shoreline of Eilean Subhainn. After stopping for a picnic on the shore, we paddled around the many inlets, then on through the passageway between Garbh Eilean & Eilean Subhainn before heading East on open water towards Isle Maree. Some pretty choppy water on this side, so take care if you're out canoeing / kayaking. On arriving at a sheltered beach in a natural harbour, we walked around and found the Wish Tree and Viking graves, leaving a small contribution on the wish tree. Very atmospheric place and worth the trip out (~ 5.5 mile round trip from the hotel put-in). See below images for route. There's Loch Maree Picnic site at Slattadale about 5 minutes drive further West as an alternative launch spot with plenty of parking alongside the shoreline. A little further away from these Islands but still accessible and closer to Eilean Ruairidh Mòr from there. UPDATE 2021: We revisited Loch Maree again, but this time headed out from Slattadale picnic site. An excellent place to set off from for the Western Islands. We dropped in on Eilean Ruairidh Mòr first, with it's twin sandy bays either side of a promontory (on the South East shore) and beautiful views over to the mountains (see videos). Further on we paddled between Eilean Subhainn and Garbh Eilean in the opposite direction from our first visit. Plenty of scenery and inlets to explore all around here. See below images for route.

Stunning Loch with many tree covered islands and the castle fortress looking mountain Siloch, brooding overhead at 3218 feet. Wild and beautiful with no modern developments in sight, just lovely mountain, forest and lake scenery. The Lake District looked very small, overdeveloped and not so impressive after coming down from this area. Says it all really.