What to Do and Where to Eat | Ledgowan Lodge Hotel

A location to please all tastes

Whether you want laid-back relaxation , gentle or challenging activity, fancy just sight-seeing and exploring or are looking to combine business with pleasure, Ledgowan Lodge Hotel is perfectly positioned to satisfy most people. Below are just some of the things to see and visit, to do and enjoy and even some local places to eat and drink that we think you might appreciate...and down the bottom of the page you can see our exact location.

SOME OF THE THINGS TO VISIT, SEE AND DO

LOCH MAREE

The beautifully photogenic loch outside the door is Loch Maree, regarded as one of the most scenic areas of Scotland with tons of conservation accolades reflecting its beauty and rare plants and animals found there.

Loch Maree is 20 km long and has a maximum width of 4 km which makes it the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland. The A832 from Kinlochewe to Gairloch runs along the shore and there are several places where you can stop and take in the stunning views of the impressive Slioch mountain which casts its reflection over the deep waters.

STROME CASTLE

The magical landscape behind Game of Thrones is close by as is Strome Castle. Located at Stromemore, four miles south of Lochcarron village, Strome Castle is today a fragmentary ruin.

GLEN CARRON: LOCHCARRON TO ACHNASHEEN

Loch Carron is a wide and beautiful sea-loch, with much fine woodland Lochcarron village is the main centre of the area, its many picturesque cottages lined up all along the waters edge, whilst on the opposite shore of the loch is the supremely kept Attadale Gardens.

Stretching east from the head of the loch is Glen Carron. The pinewoods here are being restored, and with pretty lochs, grand sandstone mountains to the north and the wilderness of Monar to the south this is a region with a great deal to offer for the walker. East of here is the small village of Achnasheen set in Strath Bran. From Achnasheen roads link to Kinlochewe and Torridon just to the north.

NORTH COAST 500

The iconic Scottish 'route 66' passes our very own doorstep. Why not make us one of the many interesting stops on your journey around the Scottish Highlands.

QUAD BIKE TOURS

Ledgowan Lodge can arrange and provide bike tours around the surrounding scenery, perfect for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone after a little adventure. Situated within some of the most spectacular Highland scenery and there is no better way to explore off the 'beat track' than on a quad bike.

MURDER MYSTERY NIGHTS

There is possibly no better location for a murder mystery night than Ledgowan Lodge - the Victorian era Hunting Lodge set within the hills of Wester Ross affords the ideal backdrop for stories of intrigue and mystery.

KAYAKING ON LOCH MAREE

Kayaking is an excellent way to discover the loch. What you will see:

Isle Maree, has the remains of a chapel, graveyard, holy well, and holly tree on it, believed to be an 8th century hermitage. Isle Maree also attracted the sick and the insane, who drank from its holy well and plunged into the loch three times in the hope of a cure.
The same island also contains ancient stands of oak and holly which have been linked with ancient Scottish druids.
Relict Caledonian pine forest, potential views of black throated divers, white tailed eagles.
Follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria.
A major feature of the Loch is the large number of islands which it holds, the larger contain pristine remnants of ancient Caledonian Pinewood. Some of these Scots Pine trees are over 350 years old, and stand on ground which has changed little in the last 8000 years.

LOCH NESS

Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 kilometres southwest of Inverness. Its surface is 16 metres above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie".

ATTADALE GARDENS

Attadale Gardens are spectacular gardens with views of Skye and feature an impressive collection of sculpture scattered throughout the 20 acre site. Visitors arrive through the water gardens and can wander through the new wood, admire the huge trunks of the ancient rhododendrons, as well as exploring the sunken garden, the peace garden, plus the Japanese garden and a geodesic dome filled with ferns. You can even buy plants from the polytunnel in the kitchen garden.

WHISKY TRAIL

With no fewer than 47 distilleries spread across the Highlands and Islands, the Highland whisky region is by far Scotland's largest geographical whisky producing area. To call Highland whiskies diverse is an understatement: it boasts probably the widest array of styles, from rich and textured to fragrantly floral - these are whiskies that refuse to be pigeonholed.

In this region you'll find some of Scotland's oldest distilleries including Glenturret at Crieff and Balblair at Tain, and some of Scotland's newest, such as Isle of Raasay Distillery, Torabhaig Distillery, on Skye and Ncn-ean Distilleryy by Lochaline.

Explore Highland distilleries and sample the region's distinctive malts and blends. You'll find some of whisky's most famous names here - and some of its most fiercely individual spirits.

HILL WALKING

We have 28 Munros within easy reach of Ledgowan Lodge making the hotel a popular choice for walking enthusiasts. Use Ledgowan Lodge as a base to explore the hills, all in the knowledge that you can settle down beside the fire to recharge on returning to the Hotel.

JUST SOME OF THE PLACES WE LOVE TO EAT AND DRINK

CARRON RESTAURANT

Situated by the beautiful West Highland Railway Line overlooking Loch carron. An ideal stop wehn travelling from Inverness to the Western Isle sor venturing on the North Coast 500. Serving a menu that changes seasonally with fresh home baking.

THE STRUY INN

We are a traditional 19th century inn situated in the heart of Scotland's Central Highlands, within an easy drive of both Inverness and Loch Ness. With characterful stone walls and a warm wood-burning stive, the Struy Inn is the perfect place to relax for a meal. Our kitchen serves top quality, British & Scottish cuisine.

TORRIDON STORES & CAFE

Torridon Cafe and General Stores is located on the shores of beautiful Loch Torridon in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The carrot cake is its best seller and to die for menu.

THE TORRIDON 1887 RESTAURANT

Exquisite cuisine, stunning location, intimate dining experience.Offering great local Scottish produce cooked to high standard with the charm and warmth of which Scotland offers best. With the best of the Highland larder right on our doorstep, the quality of produce used by the chefs at The Torridon Restaurant is second to none. Top restaurateurs from London and the continent would be very envious of the fresh fish and shellfish, beef, lamb, wild boar and succulent fruit and vegetables on offer - all sourced for maximum freshness and as locally as possible.

OUR POSITION

Ledgowan is next to the Highland village of Achnasheen, a tiny community situated on the River Bran with spectacular surrounds.

By Car...

From the South, there are 2 possible routes by which to approach Lochcarron.

Firstly, the more scenic, but rather slower, route follows the A82 along the shores of Loch Lomond, over Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe to Fort William; thence, continuing on the A82 north to Invergarry, and then via the A87 and A890/A896. From Fort William onwards, you will pass several well-known landmarks on the way - the Commando Monument at Spean Bridge, Cluanie Inn, the Five Sisters of Kintail, and Eilean Donan Castle.

Secondly, the somewhat faster, albeit further, route, which quite simply takes the A9 North from Perth to Inverness, thence via the A835 to Garve, the A832 to Achnasheen, and finally the A890/A896. This route encompasses mostly good fast roads, although the single carriageway sections of the A9 can sometimes seem frustratingly slow in heavy traffic

By Train...

Achnasheen Train Station is a stop on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line, serving the small village of Achnasheen. Today, trains from Achnasheen train station connect the village to Inverness, which can be reached in less than 90 minutes. Four trains from each direction stop here daily on weekdays and Saturdays. Sundays have one train all year round and two during the summer. The two platforms at Achnasheen station are connected by a footbridge and both have small shelters and seats.