Gair Loch

The Gair Loch is a sea loch on the north-west coast of Highland, Scotland. In Scottish Gaelic it is called An Geàrr Loch, meaning ‘the short loch’. It stretches about nine and a half kilometres long and two and a half kilometres wide. The loch opens to the west into the Little Minch. Two roads, the B8021 and the B8056, run along its northern and southern shores. Villages such as Gairloch, Charlestown, Kerrysdale, Shieldaig, Badachro and Port Henderson line the lochside. The loch contains several small islands, including Eilean Horrisdale. In the 19th century this island supported a fishing community. Longa Island stands at the entrance to the loch. The surrounding hills rise steeply from the water’s edge. The loch’s waters are calm and reflect the surrounding landscape. Visitors find quiet villages with whitewashed cottages and small harbours. Shieldaig has a noted inn and a sheltered anchorage. The roads offer views across the water to the hills beyond. Walkers can follow paths along the shore or take short boat trips to the islands. The loch’s entrance is marked by Longa Island, a low, grassy hump of land.