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Wester Ross Coastal Trail (Scotland) – Map + best views + Road A832 tips

Last updated on December 5, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Located in the North West Highlands, Wester Ross Coastal Trail Scotland is one of the most beautiful regions in the UK with mountains, lochs, wildlife and intense colors. 
Do not miss going on a road trip through the area to discover its stunning landscapes!
Below are my favorite sections of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail with a Wester Ross map and tips to help you plan.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William

My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe

My favorite places to stay:

  • Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
  • Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
  • Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
  • Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel
Wester Ross Coastal Trail A832 Scotland
Content
The Wester Ross Coastal Trail section of the North Coast 500
Planning Tips & Map – Wester Ross Scotland
South Section – Glen Carron or Glen Torridon
Central Wester Ross Coastal Trail – road A832
Poolewe and Loch Ewe
Northern part of Wester Ross Coastal Road
Falls of Measach
Ullapool & Loch Broom

The Wester Ross Coastal Trail section of the North Coast 500

The North West coast of Scotland is often overlooked yet absolutely stunning.
This wild region offers lochs, glens, mountains as well as stunning coastal areas… What more could you want?
This is the type of scenery you can expect… who wants to add it to their itineraries?

The scenic Wester Ross region
The scenic Wester Ross region

A new route has been created for marketing purpose called the North Coast 500. It includes the Wester Ross Coastal Trail that takes you to magnificent scenery including:

  • Loch Maree
  • Glen Carron
  • Loch Torridon
  • Loch Ewe
  • Falls of Measach
  • …

More photos of the best places in Wester Ross after the planning tips.
And you will understand why this is one of my top destinations in Scotland and one of the best drives in Scotland.

Planning Tips & Map – Wester Ross Scotland

Getting to Wester Ross location – map

  • North West coast of Scotland
  • Wester Ross is a loosely defined area. It is mostly between the small towns of Lochcarron and Ullapool (although it may go over to the deep freeze mountains North of Ullapoool which I present in the Assynt – Coigach Reserves article)
  • South, Eilean Donan Castle to Loch Carron = 35 min drive
  • North, Inverness to Ullapool = 1h20min drive
  • Below is a Wester Ross map to get your oriented:
Wester Ross Map
Wester Ross Map

Check out on my Travel Guide eBook. It facilitates the planning of your Scottish road trip.

Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
eBook Travel Guide Mallorca
  • 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 170+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 170+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

Visiting Wester Ross

  • My recommended drive: From Eilean Donan take A890 along Glen Carron, then at Achnasheen turn left on A832 towards Loch Maree. A832 takes you on a big loop along the Wester Ross Coastal Trail before leading you back inland and A835 towards Ullapool. The article below will show you all the amazing landscapes you can discover along the way.
  • You can drive the whole route in one day. However, if you have time, I recommend planning at least 2 days to enjoy the region
  • Wester Ross Scotland has an official website
Wester Ross Coastal Trail Road sign
Wester Ross Coastal Trail Road sign
Need to rent a car in Scotland?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Accommodations in Wester Ross

  • Ullapool is a great place to stop before continuing on to the North coast – Check out accommodations in Ullapool
  • However, if you want to stop in the heart of Wester Ross, the coastal town of Poolewe is a great choice with a charming atmosphere – check out accommodation options
  • And if you want amazing mountain views, choose Torridon – Check out the options around Loch Torridon

South Section – Glen Carron or Glen Torridon

Option 1 – Lochcarron and Glen Carron – Road A890

First stop is Glen Carron, a valley which starts with Loch Carron and its well named town Lochcarron (confusing I know).
Loch Carron is a sea loch with abundant wildlife. The surrounding towns are small and peaceful.

Loch Carron
Loch Carron

The drive on Road A890 in Glen Carron will take you near beautiful small lochs and valley sceneries.

Loch Carron Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Carron Wester Ross Scotland 3

Option 2 – Loch Torridon Road A896

Another option is to continue past Lochcarron towards Torridon and drive up Glen Torridon instead.
A896 will take you back to Loch Maree. It is the South Part of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail.
However know that between Torridon and road A832, it is a single lane road.

The highlights are:

  • Loch Shieldaig
  • Loch Torridon
  • Loch Clair with Beinn Eighe viewpoint
Loch Torridon viewpoint A896
Loch Torridon viewpoint A896

Central Wester Ross Coastal Trail – road A832

Once you have driven either A896 or A890, you arrive on the main coastal trail road: A832.
This drive will take you along some magnificent lochs including Loch Maree.
Below are a few of them.

Loch A-Chroisg

As you turn towards Loch Maree on A832, you discover Loch a’ Chroisg. The road follows its Northern shore.
You start seeing some interesting summits in the distance and the drive keeps getting better!

Loch Chroisg Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Chroisg Wester Ross Scotland 3

Loch Maree Viewpoint and south shore drive

The road will take you up a pass where a viewpoint has been set up to admire Loch Maree from above. The road then winds down to its shore and stays close for a good half of the loch. It is the most famous loch in Wester Ross.

Admire more of the beauty of Loch Maree Scotland on the dedicated article.

Loch Maree viewpoint
Loch Maree viewpoint

I think Loch Maree is one of the best lochs in Scotland and one of the best places to see in the country.

Loch Maree Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Maree Wester Ross Scotland 3

Gairloch

As the road leads away from Loch Maree, you approach the sea. A great place to stop is the little town of Gairloch. The blue, the green, the yellow (in spring)… The place was so peaceful and inspiring (I almost wished I was a painter).

Loch Gairloch Wester Ross Scotland 1
Loch Gairloch Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Gairloch Wester Ross Scotland 3

Loch Tollaidh

A832 then goes back inland and you discover the small Loch Tollaidh. The surrounding mountains and hills are interesting and varied. It is 1.5km long and 730m at its widest. There is a commercial fish farm in the loch.

Loch Tollaidh Wester Ross Scotland 1
Loch Tollaidh Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Tollaidh Wester Ross Scotland 3

Loch Maree from the West

Next you get another chance to see the beautiful and long Loch Maree. This time you see the North West Head before the roads leads you again towards the sea.

Loch Maree Wester Ross Scotland 4
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Poolewe and Loch Ewe

And then you reach the sea again.
Next stop is Loch Ewe. The Sea loch is wide and has its own island: the Isle of Ewe.
You reach its shore at Poolewe and the road takes you along its shore offering views from different angles.
Loch Ewe has a long history of Maritime trade.

Loch Ewe Wester Ross Scotland 1
Loch Ewe Wester Ross Scotland 2
Loch Ewe Wester Ross Scotland 4

Northern part of Wester Ross Coastal Road

As you keep going North and then East, the drive keeps changing with valleys, trees, sea, lochs…
You can’t get bored in Wester Ross!

Driving in Wester Ross Scotland 1

Gruinard Bay – beaches of Wester Ross

After driving inland for a little while, the road takes you along Gruinard Bay.
This bay has a large island (Guinard island) but What I enjoyed the most were the pinking beaches and the views of the strange summit in the distance (of which I cannot find the name).

Gruinard Bay Wester Ross Scotland 1
Gruinard Bay Wester Ross Scotland 2
Gruinard Bay Wester Ross Scotland 3

And the magnificent drive continues….

The road then takes a big detour inland again, but don’t worry the landscapes keep behind varied and magnificent:

Driving in Wester Ross Scotland 3
Driving in Wester Ross Scotland 4

Falls of Measach

As you turn on A835 towards Ullapool, you will discover the Falls of Measach and the Carrieshalloch Gorge. A short walk will take you to a bridge with a plunging view over the falls. I recommend having a break there. It is quite impressive.

You can find more Photos and planning info on the Falls of Measach articles.

Falls of Measach Wester Ross Scotland

Ullapool & Loch Broom

Finally, you reach Loch Broom and the town of Ullapool located on a headland in the middle of the Loch.

Founded in 1788, Ullapool is a village or 1500 inhabitants and the largest in the area.

Loch Broom Wester Ross Scotland 1
Loch Broom Wester Ross Scotland 2
Ullapool Wester Ross Scotland

Want to see more wonderful Roads to drive in Scotland? Here are a few:

  • A82 through the Valley of Glencoe – read article
  • Glen Etive to reach Loch Etive – read article
  • The Road around Loch Leven – read article
  • The Old Military Road through Cairngorms – read article
  • The Road to the Isles from Fort William to Mallaig – read article
  • The Road to Skye – read article

Planning a trip to Scotland? Check out my travel guide to help you plan it:

Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
eBook Travel Guide Mallorca
  • 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 170+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 170+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

Scotland road trip Journal

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Travel Scotland Destination Guide

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