Rhidorroch Estate
Rhidorroch House Family and Sporting Holidays & Self-Catering Holiday Cottages
Rhidorroch Estate Office, Argyle Street, Ullapool, Wester Ross 1V26 2UB

tel/fax +44(0)1854 612548 (daytime) tel +44(0)1854 612373 (evening)
email holidays@rhidorroch.com

From the outskirts of Ullapool, Rhidorroch's eight-mile-long private estate road runs from the foot of the glen, following the course of the Ullapool River and skirting the banks of Loch Achall (passing Glastullich cottage and Rhidorroch House). Beyond Rhidorroch House the road's latter four miles continue (untarred) eastwards, deep into the glen alongside the Rhidorroch River (passing Cadubh cottage) to meet the long hill track over magnificent open country to Oykel Bridge.

Long and flat this quiet route through Glen Achall provides peaceful, easy walking for all, safe cycling for children or beginners and a smooth and exceptionally beautiful track for runners. Red and sika deer, Highland cattle and unusual birds can be seen close to the road, river and lochside and on your passage through areas of rare Caledonian pine and mixed woodland.

Experienced bikers and more energetic walkers may take on the challenge over the eastward hill track to Oykel Bridge. This is a distance of about 16 miles over rough ground but you can stop half way and spend the night in the tidy Bothy by Loch Damph. The estate road also provides ready access for the walk in to Seanna Braigh, one of Scotland's most remote munros.

Glen Achall with Glastullich cottage (left)

Rhidorroch encompasses a network of easy walking tracks on Ullapool Hill which look over the village rooftops towards the head of Loch Broom and west out to the Summer Isles; the top of the hill is a marvellous place to watch the sun set. The Ullapool Hill network can be reached from the estate road – a short walk from Glastullich cottage.

Rhidorroch and its surrounding area offer the chance for plentiful sightings of many varieties of resident and migratory birds. Golden eagles use the glen as a hunting ground and sea eagles and ospreys are occasional visitors. Relatively rare birds including black throated divers and whooper swans are seen frequently here. And, to name only a very few more, there are woodcock, snipe and lapwings, wrens and dippers and buzzards and sparrowhawks – an extensive list is available from the estate.

The Summer Isles

Sunset, Loch Achall

The dramatic quality of light and intense colours of this magnificent land and sea scape cannot fail to inspire. Early morning mist rising from the glen, the loch mirror calm; Tintoretto pinks and blues turn to hot dark reds and golds at sunrise and sunset and no street-lamp orange here to spoil clear, star-spangled moonlit nights. Hill, moor, mountain, a river in spate, the wiggles and turns of gurgling hillside burns, the white-water roar of the falls; sand, sea, surf and rainbows. Live subjects, too, increase the artist's scope still further; from stag to leaping salmon, tiny rare orchid to grand old Caledonian pine, gentle Highland cow to predatory golden eagle.

Barbecues The cottage gardens, lochside and river banks are glorious places for barbecues. The butcher in Ullapool makes excellent sausages, burgers and black pudding and usually sells locally landed prawns and scallops. The trout caught on Loch Achall, of course, also provide a very tasty feast.
		Barbecue by the Cromarty Pool, Ullapool River

		Loch Fishing House guests have their own boats available at all times. Fishermen staying at the cottages can hire a boat for the day on Loch Achall or book a rod on the Lower beat of the Ullapool River and are welcome to fish the west end of Loch Achall from the bank at any time. Loch Achall gives the opportunity for a basket of trout and, occasionally, a salmon.
Taking a boat out on Loch Achall

Wild Animals The estate cares meticulously for its red and sika deer and the herds are strong and healthy. You may need to go no further than your kitchen window to enjoy close sightings of these fine beasts in their natural environment. Sharp eyes and a bit of luck might even reward with a pine marten or an otter.

Wild Flowers and Trees Grazed farmland, open moor, rocky hillside, peat bog, woodland, sand, shingle – such variety within the estate is more than matched by the multitude of flowers and trees that the land supports. All the colours of the Highlands can be seen at Rhidorroch. White-topped cotton grasses, butterwort and sweet-smelling bog myrtle thrive in the rain-fed peat bogs. Heathers, wild berries, foxgloves, wild roses… bright yellow gorse and broom, rare orchids, alpines and mosses… The woodland in the glen largely comprises silver birch, alder, rowan, aspen and ancient Caledonian pine. The estate is active in replanting native trees and, in particular, the Caledonian pines: Rhidorroch is home to the most north-westerly native Caledonian pines in the country and is continuing to germinate and grow these rare and beautiful trees from their own seed source. Silver Birch

The following pages feature detailed information about Home - Home Page Rhidorroch House - Rhidorroch House Estate Sport - let with Rhidorroch House only (salmon and trout fishing, stalking, clay pigeon shooting) Rhidorroch Holiday Cottages - Glastullich and Cadubh Estate Activities (loch fishing, walking, cycling, bird watching, wild flowers etc) Visitor Attractions (Ullapool village, golf courses, beaches, boat trips, gardens etc) Rhidorroch House Tour (pictorial tour) Rhidorroch Estate Tour (pictorial tour) Holiday Cottage Tour (pictorial tour) Booking (booking request form) Rhidorroch House Terms and Conditions Rhidorroch Holiday Cottages Terms and Conditions Map & Travel (how to find us and travel information)

Contact us at: Rhidorroch Estate Office Argyle Street Ullapool Wester Ross 1V26 2UB tel/fax   +44(0)1854 612548 (daytime)   tel   +44(0)1854 612373 (evening) email holidays@rhidorroch.com