Local Information
The village of Shieldaig sits on the shore of Loch Shieldaig - a sea loch which opens onto Loch Torridon and then out to the Minch. Opposite the village is Shieldaig Island, a bird sanctuary which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland on which Sea Eagles have nested in recent years.
The village was built in the early 1800s specifically to train sailors for the Royal Navy. Until the 1960s it could only be reached by the road from Lochcarron. The road across the Balgy Gap was then constructed connecting the village with the neighbouring community of Torridon.
These days the local employment is in fishing and tourism. There are salmon farms in the area and a smoke house in the village. On the pier you will see creels which are use to catch,what are locally referred to as, "prawns". They are actually Nephrops, which are like mini-lobsters. Crabs are also caught and scallops are harvested by divers. These can all be purchased locally and the local restaurants normally source local produce where possible.
Steve Carter's excellent website contains wonderful photographs of the area and a huge amount of information.
Shieldaig Community Website
Undiscovered Scotland - Shieldaig
Roads around Shieldaig
Visit Torridon
Visit Wester Ross
Local Taxi Service
Torridon Private Hire - Donald MacDonald - 07753 426187
Medical Services in Wester Ross
Torridon Medical Practice - 01445 791223
(Dr Caroline Brown and Dr Stewart MacPherson) is situated next to Loch Torridon Community Centre.
Appointments are available between 9am and 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Lochcarron Surgery provides cover on Thursdays - 01520 722623
For GP out of hours services - 111
Medical Advice can be obtained from NHS24 at any time of day or night - 111
Pharmacies
The local medical practices will dispense medication that they prescribe and the local shops also sell a range of simple remedies.
There are pharmacies at Gairloch, Ullapool and Kyle of Lochalsh
Hospitals
Raigmore Hospital in Inverness is the major hospital in the area.
Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ - 01463 704000
Broadford Hospital on Skye is a little nearer and has an Accident Department.
Postcode is IV49 9AA - 01471 822491
Fuel - do not risk running low - it may be a long drive to fill up!
Fuel is available at the following locations:
Lochcarron Foodstore (24 hours)
Lochcarron Garage (not Sundays)
Applecross (24 hours)
Kinlochewe (not Sundays)
Gairloch (24 hours)
Electric Vehicle Charging
EV Charging is available at The Torridon and Loch Torridon community Centre and several locations in Lochcarron and Gairloch.
We have a 7kw EV charger which is available to guests staying at The Cottage and Pier House by prior arrangement.