Shieldaig

Shieldaig and Loch Shieldaig

Shieldaig was established in 1800. Its purpose was to attract families to take up fishing for a living; and, incidentally, to help build up a stock of trained seamen who could be called upon by the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

Shieldaig from the Main Road Shieldaig Jetty Looking Along the Village Shieldaig Bar Shieldaig Island

People were attracted to the village by the offer of grants from the Admiralty to support housing and boat-building, and Shieldaig flourished. After Napoleon's demise in 1815 the official support disappeared. But Loch Shieldaig and the surrounding waters had been famed for their herring since the days of the Vikings, and the village's continuing prosperity was for many years based on the success of its fishing fleet.

Main Street

North End of the Village

Tigh-an-Eilean Hotel

Shieldaig today would be a finalist in any "most picturesque village in Scotland" competition. Its location is truly superb, on the edge of Loch Shieldaig, an offshoot of Loch Torridon, and perhaps best viewed from the minor road that twists and turns its way along the north coast of the Applecross peninsula from a junction a mile or so south of the village. From here it can be seen set against a backdrop that rises above its immediate headland and takes in the mighty mountains of Torridon, and Beinn Alligin and Liathach in particular.

The village itself is a scattering of largely whitewashed cottages and other buildings along the shore of the loch. What is especially nice is the way the seaward side of the road through the village has been grassed over for the benefit of those wishing simply to enjoy the views - and some of the nicest sunsets imaginable. Another especially nice touch is the provision of parking that helps keep the village street itself clear of the clutter of parked cars that detracts from so many Highland villages.

Shieldaig comes complete with a small collection of tourist services, including a shop and a seafront hotel, the Tigh-an-Eilean, that has seen a lot of investment in recent years and which, as a result, is now an extremely desirable, and upmarket, place to stay. Those on a tighter budget will find alternative accommodation here, including a campsite.

Views into the loch are dominated by Shieldaig Island, whose dense coverage of mature Scots pine constrasts strongly with the bare mountainsides surrounding the loch. The island has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1970. It is believed that the trees were planted, probably with seeds taken from Speyside, in the mid 1800s.

There are concerns that these imported pines my cross pollinate the subtly distinct - and increasingly rare - native Highland Scots pines that grow in Glen Shieldaig, and the eventual aim (over a century or two) is to replace the Speyside trees with Highland trees.

Shieldaig has for some time been bypassed by the A896 as it curves round on its way from Lochcarron and Kishorn to Torridon. Whatever you do, make sure you don't make the mistake of overlooking this little gem. If you are in the Western Highlands, make sure you plan your route to allow you the chance to see it for yourself.

Shieldaig from the South West