Aultbea
Encyclopedia
Aultbea is a small fishing village in the North-West Highlands
of Scotland
. It is situated on the shores of Loch Ewe
, about 30 km west of Ullapool
. The village has two hotels, the Aultbea Hotel and the Drumchork Lodge Hotel, which won the accolade of top whisky hotel in the world in 2006. The Drumchork Lodge Hotel is the home of the Loch Ewe Distillery.
Aultbea has two churches, a shop, a masonic lodge, a butcher and a craft shop. Aultbea also has a NATO base; large ships often come inshore to refuel here. There is also an annual "fun day" where most people from the village and surrounding area turn up and play football or socialise over a home baked scone as well other activities.
The nearest airport is in Inverness. The nearest railway station is at Achnasheen which has trains either to the Inverness
or through scenic Plockton
to Kyle of Lochalsh
.
There is also a ferry service to the Isle of Lewis in the relatively nearby town of Ullapool
. This service was once proposed to be based in Aultbea but due to Aultbea's remote setting Ullapool was granted the ferry port. Not too long ago there was also to be a rail track to Aultbea but again the decision went against the village as demand for such a service was expected to be low.
, based in Dingwall
(70 miles away), as they are the closest league team to the area.
buildings and barracks. Next to the local football pitch is a display board, which describes the role of the buildings in detail. Aultbea has views out to Cove and the Isle of Lewis, as well as the nearby Torridon Hills
. There is a small, red bar situated at the side of the Aultbea Hotel which offers great views of the shore and bird life.
, bringing relatively warm waters. These are ideal for jellyfish, which can swarm the local waters, as well as visiting dolphins. The Northern Lights are visible on occasion depending on the weather and time of year, winter being best.
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...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is situated on the shores of 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...
, about 30 km west of Ullapool
Ullapool
Ullapool is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland. The North Atlantic Drift passes by Ullapool, bringing moderate temperatures...
. The village has two hotels, the Aultbea Hotel and the Drumchork Lodge Hotel, which won the accolade of top whisky hotel in the world in 2006. The Drumchork Lodge Hotel is the home of the Loch Ewe Distillery.
Aultbea has two churches, a shop, a masonic lodge, a butcher and a craft shop. Aultbea also has a NATO base; large ships often come inshore to refuel here. There is also an annual "fun day" where most people from the village and surrounding area turn up and play football or socialise over a home baked scone as well other activities.
The nearest airport is in Inverness. The nearest railway station is at Achnasheen which has trains either to the Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
or through scenic Plockton
Plockton
Plockton is a village in the Highlands of Scotland with a population of 378 .- Details :Plockton is a picturesque settlement on the shores of Loch Carron...
to Kyle of Lochalsh
Kyle of Lochalsh
Kyle of Lochalsh is a village on the northwest coast of Scotland, 63 miles west of Inverness. It is located at the entrance to Loch Alsh, opposite the village of Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye...
.
There is also a ferry service to the Isle of Lewis in the relatively nearby town of Ullapool
Ullapool
Ullapool is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland. The North Atlantic Drift passes by Ullapool, bringing moderate temperatures...
. This service was once proposed to be based in Aultbea but due to Aultbea's remote setting Ullapool was granted the ferry port. Not too long ago there was also to be a rail track to Aultbea but again the decision went against the village as demand for such a service was expected to be low.
Sport
Aultbea has an amateur football team, although they play 14 miles away, Gairloch and Aultbea merged into one team under the name Gairloch Aultbea United or GA United. Nowadays its just Gairloch juniors that play in GA. Most of the population support Scottish First Division side Ross County F.C.Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
, based in Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
(70 miles away), as they are the closest league team to the area.
Attractions
Aultbea offers sandy beaches as well as rocky shores which all look out at the Isle of Ewe across the water. Scattered around the area are the remains of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
buildings and barracks. Next to the local football pitch is a display board, which describes the role of the buildings in detail. Aultbea has views out to Cove and the Isle of Lewis, as well as the nearby Torridon Hills
Torridon Hills
The Torridon Hills surround Torridon village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is usually applied to the mountains to the north of Glen Torridon...
. There is a small, red bar situated at the side of the Aultbea Hotel which offers great views of the shore and bird life.
Geography
The coast is affected by the Gulf StreamGulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
, bringing relatively warm waters. These are ideal for jellyfish, which can swarm the local waters, as well as visiting dolphins. The Northern Lights are visible on occasion depending on the weather and time of year, winter being best.
Places to go
Near Aultbea is a perfume studio and cafe, which serves as a unique attraction to the area. There is also a woodcraft shop which sells homemade crafts and cakes and teas within its cafe. The main shop is known locally as Aultbea Stores where essentials can be purchased. A butcher's business lies settled amongst a patch of trees as well. The two hotels both have restaurants and sell bar meals. There are also many walks into the hills or nearby Laide Wood. The area also boasts many fishing hotspots through nearby rivers and lochs.