Ardessie Falls and Red Point

Height: 300 ft
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate.
Total Time: Allow about 40 minutes for the walk, longer if you want to take photographs and enjoy the views out over Little Loch Broom.
Navigation: Clear though muddy tracks up the left-hand side of the waterfall.
Starting Point: A layby on the B837, 2.5 miles west of Dundonnel (NH054896)
Public Transport: Bus between Ullapool and Gairloch. Get off either at Dundonnel, Camusnagaul or Badcaul.

Ardessie Falls are spectacular waterfalls situated on the mountain-side below An Teallach and Sail Mor.

Climbing up the paths beside this waterfall gives you excellent views out over Little Loch Broom. The paths can be muddy, slippy and wet, so stout boots are essential. The rocks and stepping stones in the waterfalls can be slippy, so take care if crossing the falls.

Drive along the B832 from the Braemore Junction to Little Loch Broom, about 2.5 miles past Dundonnel. Park in the layby on the left-hand side of the road, just beyond the entrance to the fish farm on the opposite side of the road (NH054896).

Walk back along the road to the bridge where you get excellent views of the waterfall as it drops 40 feet and disappears under the road. When the falls are in spate, this is very impressive. Climb up the muddy path on either side of the falls and follow the path as it leads up the side of the waterfall. Above the waterfall at the road there is another fall of about 40 feet. Higher up, the waterfall splits into two, with wide flat rocks visible in the centre – it is possible to cross the falls, but care should be taken as the rocks can be wet and slippy. The waterfalls here are spectacular – water gushing fast and furiously round rocks and down deep gullies in a series of rapids.

Higher up again, there is a single wide fall of about 30 feet into a large pool. Above this is a deep, narrow gorge. The path continues up onto the valley between An Teallach and Sail Mor, with Sgurr Ruadh directly ahead. There are excellent views from here out to Little Loch Broom and the sea.

Maps required:

OS Landranger 19: Gairloch and Ullapool Area

Redpoint

Height: 450 ft (one way to Diabaig)
Distance: 7 miles (one way to Diabaig)
Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: Allow at least 2 hours (one way to Diabaig).
Navigation: The paths can be indistinct in places, so take a map.
Starting Point: End of the B8056 road for Badachro, Opinan and Red Point (NG732688).
Public Transport: Post bus service from Gairloch to Redpoint.

This can either be a leisurely walk down to the shores of Loch Torridon, with views over to Raasay and Skye, or it can be a more strenuous walk along the shores of Loch Torridon to Diabaig. Which ever you choose, the views are stunning – from the viewpoint just before the parking area to the views on the walk itself.

Drive south from Gairloch on the A832, then turn right into B8056, the road for Badachro, Opinan and Red Point. Drive along this road until it ends, about 9 miles, stopping at the viewpoint just before the end of the road (NG732688). Pause here to take in the views and identify the mountains, then drive on to the gate just before Red Point farm. Park at the gate, taking care not to cause an obstruction, then head down the farm track.

View south from Redpoint

The path passes through fields down to a fine sandy beach with stunning views across Loch Torridon. This is a quite magical place – even if the weather is overcast. Despite being only a short distance from the car, there is a real sense of being quite cut off from civilisation.

Walk past the Fishing Station buildings and follow the clear path which runs along the side of the loch. At the Craig River the path goes inland through woods to a bridge near the youth hostel. From here the path climbs up and round the shoulder of Sidhean a’Mhill, crossing rough moorland towards Lower Diabaig. The path over the moorland is faint, but the general direction is indicated by a series of cairns.