Best Things To Do In Shieldaig – A Perfect Highland Village

Published by Graeme on

It’s not the biggest place in the world, but there are plenty of things to do in Shieldaig to keep you busy. This coastal spot is a wee slice of highland heaven, perfect for getting away from hustle and bustle.

It’s been a tradition of mine for the last seven years to take an annual roadtrip up to Applecross with friends. The next day always involves driving around the coastal road to the wee village of Shieldaig. This might be one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland.

Things To Do In Shieldaig

Often it’s been a stopping off point for me, but I finally decided to spend a little more time there. Here are all the things to do in Shieldaig that I discovered.

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How To Get To Shieldaig

Getting to Shieldaig isn’t difficult, but it’s also not a short journey for most visitors! You’ll find this wee village in northwest Scotland, nestled on the edge of Loch Shieldaig between Applecross and Torridon. The easiest way to reach Shieldaig is by car on the A896, there’s plenty of free parking there.

The journey is one of the most scenic in Scotland regardless which road through the mountains you drive to get there! It takes between 4 and 5 hours from either Edinburgh or Glasgow but just 1 hour 45 minutes from Inverness!

Highland Coo Traffic Jam
Highland Coo Traffic Jam

If you want to get to Shieldaig by public transport, the closest train station is Strathcarron which is 19 miles away. Don’t expect to find any taxis waiting at the station, but there is a limited bus service. The local 702 bus links up with the Strathcarron train to get you along the road. Lochcarron Garage also runs a daily minibus between Applecross & Inverness with a stop at Achnasheen Train Station. The timetable is here but call in advance!

History Of Shieldaig

Before you start looking for things to do in Shieldaig, it’s important to get a grip on the history of the place! This wee village only began its life in the early 1800s – that’s quite modern by Scottish standards. Of course, people already lived around the loch, but Shieldaig itself was established as a planned village.

It was designed to attract people recently removed from their land during the Highland Clearances by giving them a new career in fishing. It was also hoped that villages like this would provide sailors to join the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. It’s even said that the picturesque trees on Shieldaig Island were planted to be used as masts for warships!

Shieldaig Island

Even though the war was over before the sailors were required, fishing thrived here, especially herring! the name Shieldaig is even thought to be Old Norse for “Herring Bay”. That industry ensured that Shieldaig survived and most of the whitewashed homes date back to its 19th century foundations!

Hit The Wee Kayak Shack

With its waterfront location, it’s no surprise that one of the top things to do in Shieldaig is to get out on the loch! The best way to do that is to hit the Wee Kayak Shack run by Shieldaig Outdoor Adventures. You can’t miss them in the car park on the left if you’re arriving into Shieldaig from the south.

Shieldaig Kayak Shack

If the weather is good then they’ll be open for you to hire kayaks, canoes or snorkelling gear. The shack also has snacks and hot drinks to give you energy for your adventure! If you don’t feel confident heading out alone then just book onto a guided trip in advance instead!

Hike The Torridon Mountains

I’ll admit it early on, most of the best things to do in Shieldaig are outdoors activities! The Northwest Highlands of Scotland provide some of the best mountain scenery in the world and it’s worth getting out there if you can. You’ll find a range of walks here from easy 30 minute wanders to hikes that will take an entire day.

Hiking In Shieldaig

A highlight for hikers visiting Shieldaig are the six Torridon Munros. I wouldn’t advise anybody hiking their first Munro to start with these, but they’re an incredible adventure for those with experience. For anybody who wants the scenery without any effort, there’s a great viewpoint of Torridon right here!

Go Wildlife Watching Around Shieldaig

There’s no shortage of wildlife in this part of Scotland to keep nature lovers interested on a trip to Shieldaig. The loch is a popular spot to find seals, otters and seabirds. To get closer, hire a boat from Torridon Yacht Charter or get in touch with Seaflower Skye for a private, luxury tour.

Stags by the Campsite
Stags Enjoying the Campsite

On land, there’s a good chance you’ll spot red deer or ptarmigan up on the hills. Pine martens like to scavenge around gardens, red squirrels scamper around the trees and you might even spot a sea-eagle soaring above you! This Wildlife Spotters Guide might come in handy…

Visit The Loch Torridon Smokehouse

Being surrounded by so much water always makes me think of seafood. Luckily, during your trip to Shieldaig you can visit the Loch Torridon Smokehouse! There are few places better than Scotland’s west coast for seafood, a taste here will prove it!

Visiting Shieldaig Main Street

You’ll find the smokehouse on the main street of the village, just behind the house called Rosebank. Feel free to head on in when the door is open and pick up some oak-smoked salmon, trout or their famous homemade Dill Mustard Sauce! Places like this make me proud of the incredible food we have in Scotland.

Take A Daytrip To Applecross


Being situated on the edge of Applecross means that a daytrip exploring that peninsula from Shieldaig is essential. It’s a slow place, somewhere to take your time exploring and just enjoy the surroundings. I’d recommend heading south first and entering Applecross over the Bealach na Ba. Just be warned that it’s not a road for beginners!

Bealach na Ba
The Bealach na Ba

The views are spectacular both during the drive and from the viewpoint at the top. Once you’re over the other side, grab a drink and some incredible food at the Applecross Inn, head to the heritage centre or go for a dip at the huge beach appropriately named “Sand”. The coastal road, with beautiful views across to Skye, will eventually take you back to the start. It might take you away from the village, but I still consider it one of the best things to do in Shieldaig!

Grab Brunch At Nannies

Before you start all of this adventuring, you’ll need to fuel up first. There’s no better place for a brunch in Shieldaig than Nannies! The cooked rolls are excellent (go for bacon, egg and black pudding – thank me later) but you can also grab porridge, pancakes or yoghurt too. Even the coffee managed to impress my coffee snob friend!

Brunch In Shieldaig

There are also plenty of options after midday from soups & sandwiches to local seafood! While Nannies is dog friendly, that’s only for the outdoor seating. Another important point is that if you’re visiting Shieldaig in the off season then Nannies closes on November 1st for the winter.

The only other place to eat in Shieldaig is the Coastal Kitchen although it’s more of a dinner spot. You’ll find incredible seafood amongst other dishes and will definitely need to book ahead!

Where To Stay In Shieldaig

There are plenty of options for where to stay in Shieldaig and here’s my pick of the best!

Tigh an Eilean Hotel – Joined to the Coastal Kitchen, this is the main hotel in the village. You’ll have great views of the loch from a beautiful room with really friendly staff!

Tigh en Leigh – Perfect if you’re looking for a whole holiday home to relax as a group. Tigh en Leigh sleeps 6 and has a minimum stay of 7 days.

Waterfront Cottage – If you’re looking for a couples retreat then just a short trip round the Applecross Peninsula you’ll find this perfect wee one-bedroom cottage!

Torridon Youth Hostel If you’re travelling on your own or are just on a budget, the Torridon Youth Hostel is a great place to base yourself!

Torridon Estate – With options of Bed & Breakfast or Self Catering, Torridon Estate is an incredible place to stay during your trip to Shieldaig!

Torridon Mountains

If you like the look of visiting Shieldaig, then why not go there on a Scotland’s Stories tour?

Just click this link to make an enquiry and book your private driving tour today!

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Categories: Travel Blog

Graeme

Writer and Storyteller

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