Off Season Breaks
Why not visit Wester Ross outside the main holiday season? It`s more peaceful with fewer people and less traffic about, while our unpredictable climate means you could actually have better weather in Spring, Autumn and Winter than you might have in the summer. (Of course, it might be worse – but it`s beautiful even in the rain!).
You can take advantage of reduced off-season prices for accommodation. One popular reason for coming off season is to avoid the dreaded midges – indeed, many regular visitors to the area refuse to come during the summer months just because of them!
You`ll still find plenty to do – here are some ideas…..
- Inverewe Garden. Although the shop and restaurant are closed from the end of October to Easter, you can walk round the garden for free.
- Gairloch Golf Club. The shop is closed, but the course is open to visitors, with an honesty box for green fees.
- Poolewe Swimming Pool is open all year.
- Gairloch Leisure Centre is open all year and has special activities for children during the school holidays.
- Hotels and Village Halls have regular musical events all year round, from ceilidhs to discos.
Although some hotels, cafes and the more `touristy` shops stay open all year round, others may close during the winter months and open up again for the Christmas and New Year period. If you want shops and `civilisation`, Inverness is only 90 minutes drive away, Dingwall and Ullapool slightly closer.
Don`t forget outdoor activities – whether it`s walking, sailing or cycling that you enjoy, it`s just as beautiful whatever time of year you come.
And if the weather`s too bad for any of these things, just relax in a comfortable cottage and admire those stunning views through the window!
Scotland is the country above all others that I have seen,
in which a man of imagination may carve out his own pleasures.
There are so many inhabited solitudes.
Dorothy Wordsworth (1771-1855)