A832 road
Encyclopedia
The A832 is a road in the Scottish Highlands
, linking Cromarty
, on the east coast, to Gairloch
on the west coast, and beyond Gairloch to Braemore Junction. It is 126 miles (202.8 km) long and runs entirely in the former county of Ross and Cromarty
. The road forms part of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail
.
on the Black Isle
, the A832 travels south alongside the Moray Firth
to Fortrose
, then turns west, heading inland. It crosses the A9 and A835
at Tore
and continues to Muir of Ord
, passing near to the Beauly Firth
.
Five miles after Muir of Ord, the A832 meets the A835
again at a T-junction, and turning left, multiplexes with the A835 for nine miles (14 km) to Gorstan
. On this stretch it passes Contin
, the Rogie Falls
and Loch Garve.
the A832 and A835 diverge again. They meet again later on at Braemore Junction, where the A832 terminates at the A835. From Gorstan to Braemore Junction on the A835 is 20 miles (32.2 km), however on the A832 it is a vast 87 miles (140 km) circuit to the west coast and around the mountains of Wester Ross
.
From Gorstan the A832 heads west along Strath Bran to Achnasheen
, alongside the Dingwall and Skye Railway
. At Achnasheen the A890 branches off to the south to Loch Carron
, following the railway. The A832 continues west, passing by Loch a' Chroisg and over a low mountain pass (815 ft) to descend Glen Docherty
to Kinlochewe
. Until recently, this 9 miles (14.5 km) stretch was a single track road
with passing places, but in recent years the road was upgraded to two lanes.
At Kinlochewe, there is a junction with the A896, which heads west through Glen Torridon. The A832 continues north west, beneath Beinn Eighe
and along the shore of Loch Maree
, with views of Slioch
on the opposite shore. After diverging from Loch Maree it climbs through Slattadale, and there is another short single-track stretch as the A832 descends Kerrydale to Gair Loch.
, a vast mountain wilderness region between Loch Maree and Little Loch Broom.
At Loch Gairloch, the A832 turns north through the village of Gairloch
, then turns east and crosses the headland between Loch Gairloch and Loch Ewe
. It descends to the latter at Poolewe and follows its coast northwards to Drumchork, passing Inverewe Garden
. At Drumchork the road rises again, crossing a headland to Gruinard Bay
.
After following the coast of Gruinard Bay the road crosses one more headland and descends to Little Loch Broom, now travelling south-eastwards. It continues past the end of the loch, and along the Strath Beag valley through the village of Dundonnell
.
rations.
Beyond Dundonnell, the A832 enters the Dundonnell Gorge and begins climbing alongside several waterfalls on the Dundonnell River. The road leaves the top of the gorge at Fain Bridge and continues across the open moors to the summit at an altitude of 332 metres (1089 ft), surrounded by the towering peaks of An Teallach
, Sgurr nan Clach Geala
and Beinn Dearg
.
On its final stretch, the road descends alongside the Abhainn Cuileig river, then turns alongside the Corrieshalloch Gorge
. There is a car park here, with footpath access to the top of the gorge and the Falls of Measach.
Shortly after passing the gorge, the A832 terminates at Braemore Junction on the A835.
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
, linking Cromarty
Cromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
, on the east coast, to Gairloch
Gairloch
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local...
on the west coast, and beyond Gairloch to Braemore Junction. It is 126 miles (202.8 km) long and runs entirely in the former county of Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...
. The road forms part of the Wester Ross Coastal Trail
Wester Ross Coastal Trail
The Wester Ross Coastal Trail is a route in the Western part of the Scottish Highlands. The route consists of the A832 road, the A896 road and the Applecross Peninsula. The northern end of the route is the junction with the A835 south of Ullapool...
.
Cromarty to Gorstan
Starting in CromartyCromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
on the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....
, the A832 travels south alongside the Moray Firth
Moray Firth
The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness, which is in the Highland council area of north of Scotland...
to Fortrose
Fortrose
Fortrose is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, located on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. The town is known for its ruined 13th century cathedral, and as the home of the Brahan Seer. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the bishopric of Ross...
, then turns west, heading inland. It crosses the A9 and A835
A835 road
The A835 is a road in the Scottish Highlands linking Inverness to Ullapool and the Far North of Scotland.The A835 starts at Tore on the Black Isle, seven miles north-west of Inverness at a junction with the A9. The A835 crosses the Black Isle to Conon Bridge, where the A832 crosses, linking Muir of...
at Tore
Tore, Scotland
Tore is a small village on the Black Isle, in the Highland region of Scotland.-Geography:It is located seven miles north of Inverness, next to the A9 road. The Tore roundabout, a major roundabout where the A9 intersects the A832 and the A835, is next to the village. It is split up and therefore...
and continues to Muir of Ord
Muir of Ord
Muir of Ord is a village in Highland, Scotland. It is situated near the western boundary of the Black Isle, about 20 km west of the city of Inverness, and 10 km south of Dingwall...
, passing near to the Beauly Firth
Beauly Firth
The Beauly Firth is a firth in northern Scotland. It is effectively a continuation of the Moray Firth westward, and is bounded at one end by Beauly and at the other by Inverness . The Kessock Ferry has crossed at the eastern end since the 15th Century...
.
Five miles after Muir of Ord, the A832 meets the A835
A835 road
The A835 is a road in the Scottish Highlands linking Inverness to Ullapool and the Far North of Scotland.The A835 starts at Tore on the Black Isle, seven miles north-west of Inverness at a junction with the A9. The A835 crosses the Black Isle to Conon Bridge, where the A832 crosses, linking Muir of...
again at a T-junction, and turning left, multiplexes with the A835 for nine miles (14 km) to Gorstan
Gorstan
Gorstan is a small hamlet in Garve, Ross-shire region in the Scottish council area of Highland....
. On this stretch it passes Contin
Contin
Contin is a Ross-shire village and civil parish between Strathpeffer and Garve in the Highland council area of Scotland...
, the Rogie Falls
Rogie Falls
Rogie Falls are a series of waterfalls on the Black Water, a river in Ross-shire in the Highlands of Scotland. The falls about 2 km north-west of the village of Contin, next to the A835 road. They are a popular tourist attraction, with several forest walks.-References:...
and Loch Garve.
Gorstan to Gairloch
At GorstanGorstan
Gorstan is a small hamlet in Garve, Ross-shire region in the Scottish council area of Highland....
the A832 and A835 diverge again. They meet again later on at Braemore Junction, where the A832 terminates at the A835. From Gorstan to Braemore Junction on the A835 is 20 miles (32.2 km), however on the A832 it is a vast 87 miles (140 km) circuit to the west coast and around the mountains of Wester Ross
Wester Ross
is a western area of Ross and Cromarty in Scotland, notably containing the villages on the west coast such as:* Lochcarron* Applecross* Shieldaig* Torridon* Kinlochewe * * * Aultbea* Laide* Ullapool* Achiltibuie...
.
From Gorstan the A832 heads west along Strath Bran to Achnasheen
Achnasheen
Achnasheen is a small village in Ross-shire in the Highland council area of Scotland. Despite the size of the village, Achnasheen is also the name of a postal district which covers several much larger communities. This dates from the time when the village railway station was an important stop on...
, alongside the Dingwall and Skye Railway
Dingwall and Skye Railway
The Dingwall and Skye Railway was authorised on 5 July 1865 with the aim of providing a route to Skye and the Herbrides. However due to local objections, another Act of Parliament was required before work could commence. This was passed on 29 May 1868...
. At Achnasheen the A890 branches off to the south to Loch Carron
Loch Carron
Loch Carron is a sea loch on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands. It is the point at which the River Carron enters the North Atlantic Ocean....
, following the railway. The A832 continues west, passing by Loch a' Chroisg and over a low mountain pass (815 ft) to descend Glen Docherty
Glen Docherty
Glen Docherty is a glen in Wester Ross in Scotland, between Loch Maree and Kinlochewe to the west and Loch a'Chroisg and Achnasheen to the east....
to Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It is in the parish of Gairloch, the community of Torridon and Kinlochewe and the Highland Council area. It lies near the head of Loch Maree in its magnificent valley, and serves as a junction between the main Ullapool...
. Until recently, this 9 miles (14.5 km) stretch was a single track road
Single track road
A single-track road or one-lane road is a road that permits two-way travel but is not wide enough in most places to allow vehicles to pass one another . This kind of road is common in rural areas across the United Kingdom and elsewhere...
with passing places, but in recent years the road was upgraded to two lanes.
At Kinlochewe, there is a junction with the A896, which heads west through Glen Torridon. The A832 continues north west, beneath Beinn Eighe
Beinn Eighe
Beinn Eighe is a complex mountain massif in the Torridon area of the Highlands of Scotland. It forms a long ridge with many spurs and summits, two of which are classified as Munros. The name Beinn Eighe comes from the Scottish Gaelic meaning File Mountain...
and along the shore of Loch Maree
Loch Maree
Loch Maree is a loch in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. At long and with a maximum width of , it is the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland; it is the largest north of Loch Ness. Its surface area is ....
, with views of Slioch
Slioch
Slioch is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands situated in Wester Ross, eight kilometres north of the village of Kinlochewe. Slioch reaches a height of 981 metres and towers above the south east end of Loch Maree to give one of the best known and most photographed sights in the Highlands...
on the opposite shore. After diverging from Loch Maree it climbs through Slattadale, and there is another short single-track stretch as the A832 descends Kerrydale to Gair Loch.
Gairloch to Dundonnell
After reaching the west coast at Gair Loch, the A832 follows the coast northwards, gradually making a turn back towards the south-east. It circuits the Dundonnell and Fisherfield ForestDundonnell and Fisherfield Forest
The Dundonnell and Fisherfield Forest covers a large mountainous area of Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, lying between Loch Maree and Little Loch Broom. It is sometimes nicknamed The Great Wilderness, as the area is entirely devoid of permanent settlements.Although termed a...
, a vast mountain wilderness region between Loch Maree and Little Loch Broom.
At Loch Gairloch, the A832 turns north through the village of Gairloch
Gairloch
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local...
, then turns east and crosses the headland between Loch Gairloch and Loch Ewe
Loch Ewe
Loch Ewe is a sea loch in the region of in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The shores are inhabited by a traditionally Gàidhlig speaking people living in or sustained by crofting villages, the most notable of which, situated on the north-eastern shore, is the Aultbea settlement...
. It descends to the latter at Poolewe and follows its coast northwards to Drumchork, passing Inverewe Garden
Inverewe Garden
Inverewe Garden is a botanical garden in the Scottish Highlands. It is located just to the north of Poolewe in Wester Ross.The garden was created in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie on the estate bought for him by his mother. The original Inverewe Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1914 and replaced in 1937...
. At Drumchork the road rises again, crossing a headland to Gruinard Bay
Gruinard Bay
Gruinard Bay is a large remote coastal embayment, located 12 miles north of Poolewe, in northwestern Ross and Cromarty, and is in the former parish of Lochbroom, in the west coast of Scotland.-Settlements:...
.
After following the coast of Gruinard Bay the road crosses one more headland and descends to Little Loch Broom, now travelling south-eastwards. It continues past the end of the loch, and along the Strath Beag valley through the village of Dundonnell
Dundonnell
Dundonnell is a village in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, on the south side of Little Loch Broom and at the foot of An Teallach, right at the north of the area commonly known as the "Great Wilderness". There is an independent youth hostel and a farm. Many semi-wild sheep roam the area, which is the...
.
Dundonnell to Braemore Junction
This stretch of road is one of several to be known as the Destitution Road. It was built during the Highland Potato Famine of 1846-1847, to provide employment for crofters in exchange for oatmealOatmeal
Oatmeal is ground oat groats , or a porridge made from oats . Oatmeal can also be ground oat, steel-cut oats, crushed oats, or rolled oats....
rations.
Beyond Dundonnell, the A832 enters the Dundonnell Gorge and begins climbing alongside several waterfalls on the Dundonnell River. The road leaves the top of the gorge at Fain Bridge and continues across the open moors to the summit at an altitude of 332 metres (1089 ft), surrounded by the towering peaks of An Teallach
An Teallach
An Teallach is a mountain in Scotland. It lies to the southwest of Dundonnell and overlooks Little Loch Broom, in an area often nicknamed the "great wilderness"...
, Sgurr nan Clach Geala
Sgurr nan Clach Geala
Sgurr nan Clach Geala is a Scottish mountain situated 28 kilometres south-southeast of Ullapool in the county of Ross and Cromarty in the Highland council area...
and Beinn Dearg
Beinn Dearg (Ullapool)
Beinn Dearg is a mountain in the Inverlael area of the Highlands of Scotland. It is most frequently climbed by following the River Lael up Gleann na Sguaib. Starting from near the head of Loch Broom a path follows the glen to a bealach about a kilometre north of the summit...
.
On its final stretch, the road descends alongside the Abhainn Cuileig river, then turns alongside the Corrieshalloch Gorge
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Corrieshalloch Gorge is situated on the Droma River 20 km S of Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands. It is 1.5 km long, 60m deep and formed at the end of the last ice age by rapid erosion caused by meltwater. The 46m Falls of Measach can be viewed from a viewing platform and a Victorian...
. There is a car park here, with footpath access to the top of the gorge and the Falls of Measach.
Shortly after passing the gorge, the A832 terminates at Braemore Junction on the A835.