Applecross

Applecross is a small remote Village in northwest Scotland, 80 miles west of Inverness, 27 miles southwest of Torridon, popular for its Mountain Road, Outdoor Activities, Inn for Meals, Heritage Centre, and Views over the Isle of Skye. The Peninsular is also known as Applecross.

For Images on Mobile swipe right

Click on Map for area Attractions

Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top right is of the Bealach Cafe and Gallery at the start of the Mountain Road to Applecross named Bealach na Ba / Pass of the Cattle.

The image second top is looking back down the Mountain Road at the steepest point. This part of the road is real steep with hairpin bends that have to be taken in second or first gear.

If you have a large camper van or towing caravan, it may be best to use the coastal road to Applecross, although that is real steep and narrow in places as well.

This road was made of Gravel in 1822 for Cattle Drovers, had Cars racing over it in 1905, then had Tar laid on it in the 1960s.

The Viewpoint is at 2,053ft, close to the top of the top of the 2,539ft / 774m Sgurr a' Chaorachain mountain, from where there are even more dramatic views if you hike the top 500ft. Mountain Hike Images.

Applecross Campsite is at the east entrance to the Village from the Mountain Road. The campsite has pitches for Tents, Motorhomes, and has Camping Huts and Caravans for hire.

The small Village of Applecross has a Gift and Crafts shop at the entrance.

Mountain and Sea Guides are in the Village centre offering a wide range of activities such as Sea Kayaking, Walking, Hiking, and Climbing. They also hire Kayaks.

The Applecross Inn is probably the top attraction in the area with it specializing in Seafood.

Applecross Walled Garden with a Cafe and Restaurant is one mile north of the Village.

Applecross House is next to the Walled Garden that is not open to the public, built from 1675 for Clan MacKenzie.

The Applecross Heritage Centre is also about one mile north of the Village, just off the main coastal road, at the Clachan Church, giving historical information on the area and old images.

Applecross Beach is across the main road from the Heritage Centre, with a path to the Beach from the Bridge over the main road.

The Coast Road north to Torridon is about 34 miles passing through a number of Hamlets. The Coast Road has views over Raasay Island and the Isle of Skye. This road also has steep narrow sections, almost as eventful as the Mountain Road.

Applecross History

500s? - the Pictish name for this Peninsular was Aporcrosan.

673 - the Irish Saint Maelrubha founded a Monastery at Applecross, with the Monastery owning most of the land in the area.

A number of Churches were built in the area dedicated to Saint Maelrubha, including a Chapel on Isle Maree in Loch Maree. Loch Maree is 65 miles north of Applecross with the famous Oak Tree that people hammer coins into before making a Wish. Boat Trips.

There were no roads to Applecross before the 1820s, sail boats were used for trading and travel.

1560s - Catholic Worship in Scotland was banned, a time many Scottish Nobles began acquiring Church land, often by illegal means.

1675 - Applecross House was built for Clan MacKenzie, on land said to have been taken from Churches that had replaced the Applecross Monastery.

1715 - Alexander MacKenzie and many people of Applecross joined a failed Jacobite Rising to try and restore the Stuart Kings to the throne.

Alexander MacKenzie had his land seized by the King soon after, with him fleeing to live in France.

1724 - Alexander’s son, Roderick MacKenzie, bought the Applecross land back.

1745 - the MacKenzie's and people of Applecross did not join the last failed Jacobite Rising.

1746 - Government Troops raided the area looking for Jacobite's in hiding and took local boats.

1700s late - The MacKenzie's of Applecross began encouraging Crofters to leave their small farms to take up fishing, move to cities for work, or to emigrate, so they could begin large scale sheep farming.

1803 - The Polly, a Sail Ship, picked up Applecross families to transfer them to Prince Edward Island in Canada, such as MacRaes, MacKenzies, and Campbell's.

Lord Selkirk, a top Politician, had acquired land in Canada, with him encouraging people from the Applecross area, and other areas, to emigrate to Canada.

This was the time of the Highland Clearances, with many Landowners encouraging, or forcing people off there small farms / crofts, to make way for large scale Sheep Farming.

1817 - the Applecross Clachan Church was built on the site of the Monastery.

1822 - a Gravel road was built over the Mountain to Applecross Village to make life easier for Horse Riders and Cattle Drovers.

Mail Carriages could not use the road as it was too steep and there were not enough Coaching Inns in the area.

1850s - Applecross House was bought by the Duke of Leeds to be used as a Hunting Lodge.

1862 - Applecross House was bought by Henry Willoughby, 8th Baron Middleton from Nottinghamshire / England, for Hunting and Fishing.

1897 - large Ferries began running between Kyle of Lochalsh 40 miles south of Applecross, and the Isle of Harris, stopping to pick up passengers at Applecross, with the passengers having to use small boats to travel out to the Ferries.

1895 - the first Cars began runing in Scotland.

1905 - cars began racing over the Applecross Mountain Road for publicity.

1929 - the Wills family took over Applecross house and the 61,600-acre Estate to be used as a Hunting Lodge, with them best known for their Tobacco empire based in Bristol / England.

1960s - the Mountain road was surfaced with Tar. This road can be blocked by snow for a few months each winter.

1975 - the 25 mile Coast Road north to Shieldaig was completed, leading to Applecross being accessible most of the year, Torridon is 12 miles northeast of Shieldaig.

1975 - the Applecross Trust was set up by the Wills family, leading to Applecross Estate and Walled Garden with a Cafe / Restaurant open to the public. Visitors are not allowed at the House.

Today - the Applecross Peninsular attracts many tourists interested in the more remote parts of Scotland with small Hamlets. The Coast Road ends at Toscaig, 4 miles south of Applecross, where there was a Pier for boat links to the Peninsular.

2015 - The North Coast 500 driving route was established, increasing tourism to the area.

I find going to Applecross first then north around the North Coast 500 is the best way for the views and has the sun behind you more of the time.