Walks | North-West
Redpoint Beach
Start: End of B8056 Gairloch - Redpoint road
Description: Short walk to a sandy beach
OS Map: #19, Gairloch & Ullapool
Multimap: Online Map
This is a leisurely stroll down to a magnificent beach. Reached by heading South from Gairloch for about 2 miles, and turning right into the road signposted for Shieldaig, Badachro and Redpoint, and following it for approximately 9 miles to it's end. Just before the end of the road, a viewpoint from the highpoint looks out to Skye and the Hebrides.
Park in the widened section at the end of the road, leaving plenty of room for other vehicles to pass on the way to Redpoint Farm. There are two beaches to choose from, which can be linked by following the coast. The closer of the two is the Eastern Beach.
Take the right hand gate, and follow the worn grassy path towards the dunes. The path drops down in sandy steps, and you can either head for the gap in the dunes, or climb the big dune to get the best views of the beach. As suggested, the sand does have a dark red colouring. The wide sandy beach is great on a sunny day, well sheltered and good for swimming. Otters and Oystercatchers can be seen on the beach, and Dolphins frequently enter the bay. One of the houses up to the North of the beach is owned by Jamiroquai singer Jay-Kay.
The other beach is further South in Loch Torridon. It takes a longer 15 minute walk to reach, by going through the left hand gate and following the track through Redpoint Farm - watch out for the Dog! After the farm the track becomes less clear, but you should still be able to follow it far enough to make out the beach, and then head direct across the Gorse covered scrub and down over the low dunes.
This beach is a bit more sheletered, and the water shallower, and is worth the effort to walk here, though maybe not if carrying cool box, wind breaker etc. The remains of Fishing huts, winches and boats make for some interesting exploring, and a couple of rocky little islands are good to swim around - especially with the aid of snorkel and flippers. Both beaches are also very good places to spot Submarines passing by on the surface on training exercises.