46-776: 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 . The southern end of the route is at Auchtertyre near Kyle of Lochalsh . From the north, the route passes the following places: Wester Ross Wester Ross ( Scottish Gaelic : Ros an Iar )
92-423: A Gaelic -speaking area; however, the language suffered from persecution for many years, and its decline was hastened when English-language schooling became compulsory in the late 19th century. In the 2011 census 10.6% of the population reported being able to speak the language, compared to only 1.1% of the population of Scotland as whole. As well as being a spoken language Gaelic culture continues to be important in
138-543: A Mesolithic rock shelter and shell midden at Sand on the Applecross peninsula revealed a variety of tools made from bone, stone and antler, together with waste from tool manufacture and food processing. The Mesolithic people were largely nomadic , and permanent settlements were first built during the Neolithic era, when trees were felled to create land for farming. The area was inhabited by Picts in late antiquity , and
184-512: A legacy rich in both natural and cultural heritage. The geology of Wester Ross consists predominantly of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss . The latter was formed during the Precambrian period, and is the oldest rock type found in Scotland; indeed the rocks around Gruinard Bay are, at 2.5 billion years old, amongst the oldest rocks in the world. The Torridonian sandstone was formed by
230-675: A relatively mild maritime climate ( Köppen Cfb ) due to the influence of the Gulf Stream . The tables below provide data for three locations within the area: Aultbea , located on the coast near Poolewe ; Kinlochewe , located in a more inland position at the head of Loch Maree ; and the summit of the Bealach na Bà, located 600 m above sea level in a coastal location. There are traces of Mesolithic occupation at several sites in Wester Ross, including at Redpoint and Shieldaig . Excavations of
276-697: A resident population of red grouse . The summits of Wester Ross host alpine and sub-alpine heaths comprising mosses , liverworts and lichens , and dwarf shrubs such as alpine bearberry , juniper , crowberry , and cowberry . Beinn Eighe is the only known site for the Northern prongwort in the UK, and represents 75% of the known world population. Bird species in the montane areas of Wester Ross include ptarmigan , dotterel and snow bunting , along with raptor species such as golden eagle and merlin . White-tailed eagles were reintroduced into Wester Ross during
322-469: A system under which their labour would be available when required by their landlords: they would be workers first and farmers second. Crofters were employed in enterprises such as fishing ( Ullapool in the north of Wester Ross was built by the British Fishing Society in the 1780-90s) and kelping (the collection and processing of kelp to create products such as soda ash ). In the later stages of
368-415: Is Mullach an Rathain at 1,024 metres (3,360 ft) high. The mountain is composed of Torridonian sandstone which forms massive near-horizontal strata . They form the numerous terraces that are obvious from afar. The rocks are mainly red and chocolate sandstones , arkoses , flagstones and shales with coarse conglomerates locally at the base. Some of the materials of these rocks were derived from
414-651: Is a mountain in the Torridon Hills , in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland . It stands between Loch Torridon and the neighbouring mountain Beinn Eighe . The mountain is a ridge running east–west, with several peaks, and its upper half is made up of many steep rocky terraces. The highest peak is the Munro of Spidean a' Choire Lèith ('peak of the grey corrie ') at 1,055 metres (3,461 ft) high. The other Munro peak
460-453: Is an area of the Northwest Highlands of Scotland in the council area of Highland . The area is loosely defined, and has never been used as a formal administrative region in its own right, but is generally regarded as lying to the west of the main watershed of Ross (the eastern part of Ross being Easter Ross ), thus forming the western half of the county of Ross and Cromarty . The southwesternmost part of Ross and Cromarty, Lochalsh ,
506-521: Is at the southern edge of its range in Wester Ross. Besides salmon and trout, Arctic charr can be found in many of the lochs. There are areas of Caledonian pinewood at Shieldaig , Coulin , Torridon , Beinn Eighe , Rhidorroch , Achnashellach and the islands on Loch Maree . Though small in terms of area, these pinewoods (which are composed chiefly of Scots pine , alongside deciduous species such as birch and rowan ) are an internationally important habitat. These woods are genetically distinct from
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#1732847521775552-409: Is home to the world's largest flame shell beds. The rivers and lochs of Wester Ross support important populations of Atlantic salmon and sea trout , although numbers of adult fish have declined in recent years. Freshwater pearl mussels live in the gravel beds of clean, fast flowing rivers: the population had declined across Europe as a result of pollution, habitat changes and pearl fishing, and
598-565: Is not considered part of Wester Ross by the local tourist organisation, Visit Wester Ross , but is included within the definition used for the Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve . Wester Ross has one of the lowest population densities in Europe, with just 1.6 people per km , who live mostly in small crofting townships along the coastline of the region. The area is renowned for the scenic splendour of its mountains and coastline, and
644-633: Is subdivided into three zones: Approximately 20% of Wester Ross is legally protected via the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation. In 2014 59,900 hectares (599 km ) of coastal waters in the northern part of Wester Ross (from Rubha Rèidh to Coigach ) was declared a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA). The National Trust for Scotland , a charity that cares for sites of historic or natural significance, owns seven properties in Wester Ross: The population of Wester Ross
690-497: Is the Kyle of Lochalsh line , which is operated by ScotRail and provides a link between the southern part of the region and Inverness . Four services a day operate on the line, calling at stations at Achnasheen , Achnashellach , Strathcarron , Attadale , Stromeferry , Duncraig , Plockton and Duirinish , terminating at Kyle of Lochalsh . Despite being located at a latitude of between 57.2° and 58.0° North Wester Ross experiences
736-615: Is the largest of the national scenic areas in terms of land area (1439 km ). It extends from Loch Kishorn in the south to Little Loch Broom in the north. There are two further national scenic areas (NSA) that include parts of Wester Ross: the Kintail NSA and the Coigach portion of the Assynt - Coigach NSA. Wester Ross was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in April 2016. The designated area
782-444: Is the location for the adventures of John Macnab in the book by John Buchan . American author George R. R. Martin took the name of the fictional continent in his epic fantasy franchise A Song of Ice and Fire , Westeros, from Wester Ross. [REDACTED] Media related to Wester Ross at Wikimedia Commons Liathach Liathach ( Scottish Gaelic for 'the hoary place'; pronounced [ˈʎiəhəx] )
828-621: Is well known for its spectacular mountain scenery, especially the Torridon Hills which includes such peaks as Beinn Eighe and Liathach . Although many peaks in the Northwest highlands exhibit Torridonian geology , the Torridon Hills are generally considered only to be those in the Torridon Forest to the north of Glen Torridon: the Munros of Liathach , Beinn Eighe , and Beinn Alligin ; and
874-768: The Battle of Largs the semi-independent Lords of the Isles came to dominate the western coast until the 15th century, when Scottish Crown was able to cement its control over the region. The 16th century marked the height of the Clan structure in the Highlands , and Wester Ross was occupied by different clans, chiefly the Mackenzies and the Macdonalds . Historically the chiefs of the Clan Donald held
920-530: The Bealach na Bà . Wester Ross was designated as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO ’s "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) Programme in April 2016. The Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve now covers 5,200 square kilometres of Wester Ross and Lochalsh. This new-style biosphere, which covers an area over 100 times larger than the original designation, is a place where people live and actively learn about their surroundings to inspire
966-548: The British Isles used for the purposes of biological recording and other scientific data-gathering. The coastline is mostly formed of cliffs and rocky shores covered with barnacles and seaweed . These cliffs are home to large numbers of seabirds such as puffins , fulmars , kittiwakes , razorbills , guillemots , black guillemots , cormorants and shags , whilst the rocky islets and skerries are important for harbour seals . There are also beaches and sand dunes :
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#17328475217751012-595: The Corbetts of Beinn Dearg , Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin . Other notable "Torridonian" peaks in Wester Ross include An Teallach and Slioch , in the Dundonnell and Fisherfield Forest in the north of the area, and the hills of the Coulin Forest between Glen Torridon and Strathcarron . Torridonian hills exhibit some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the British Isles , surpassed in grandeur probably only by
1058-484: The Cuillin of Skye . The hills sit apart from each other, and are often likened to castles. They have steep terraced sides, and broken summit crests, riven into many pinnacles . There are many steep gullies running down the terraced sides. The summit ridges provide excellent scrambling , and are popular with hill walkers and mountaineers . However, like many ridge routes, there are few escape points, so once committed,
1104-680: The single transferable vote electoral system. Some local decisions are delegated to the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee, which consists of all councilors representing this ward. In the Scottish Parliament most of Wester Ross lies within the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency, however the Lochalsh area in the south of the region forms part of the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency. Each constituency elects one Member of
1150-420: The 1990s, with 58 birds being released between 1993 and 1998. This was the second phase of the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles into Scotland, following on from the release of 82 birds on Rùm between 1975 and 1985. As of 2014, it was estimated that there were 98 breeding pairs living along the west coast of Scotland. The Wester Ross National Scenic Area covers 1635 km of countryside and seascape, and
1196-607: The Northern Pinnacles is considered a rock climb, although another route to the top from Coire na Caime only involves a short steep scramble on the final 50m to gain the ridge. Irvine Butterfield considers Meall Dearg "The most difficult top in the British Isles challenged only by the Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgùrr Dearg ". The Northern Pinnacles were first climbed in 1894 by Hinxman, Rennie and Douglas. Climbing
1242-574: The Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the plurality (first past the post) method of election; a further seven additional members are elected from the Highlands and Islands electoral region (in addition to the eight constituency MSPs), to produce a form of proportional representation for the region as a whole. At Westminster Wester Ross is represented as part of the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency , which elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by
1288-433: The Wester Ross population is now of international importance. Otters and water voles are both present in strong numbers in the rivers of Wester Ross: water voles populations have been in decline across Great Britain due to predation by non-native American mink , which have only recently been recorded in Wester Ross. The lochs also support internationally important concentrations of breeding black-throated divers , which
1334-552: The area through traditional music and ceilidhs . Wester Ross is part of the registration county of Ross and Cromarty . The counties of Scotland are now used only for statistical purposes, and for local government purposes the whole of Ross and Cromarty is part of the council area of Highland . Wester Ross is united with Strathpeffer in Easter Ross to form a single ward entitled Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh , which elects 4 councilors to Highland Council under
1380-470: The clearances by granting security of tenure to crofters. However the act did not break up large estates, and Wester Ross continues to consist chiefly of large single-owner estates. There are many different habitats in Wester Ross, ranging from the marine and coastal environment to mountain summits over 1000 m above sea level. The area forms one of the Watsonian vice-counties , geographical divisions of
1426-530: The clearances the driver ceased to be industrial enterprises, but simply to clear the land for sheep farming, and later deer forests . At this point emigration was often the only option to those removed from their homes. Under pressure from the Highland Land League and public opinion a series of inquiries were held into the situation, leading to the Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886 which put an end to
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1472-401: The deposition of sediment on top of the gneiss around 750 million years ago. The linear geological feature of Moine Thrust Belt runs northeast across the area from near Kyle of Lochalsh. The area was heavily glaciated during the ice age , with all but the highest peaks being covered by glaciers, leading to the steep-sided glens and deep sea lochs that characterise the area today. Wester Ross
1518-479: The dunes at Achnahaird in particular support three plant species ( petalworts , dune slack mosses matted bryum and sea bryum ) that occur nowhere else in Scotland. There is relatively little machair in Wester Ross compared to other parts of western Scotland. Whales , dolphins , porpoises and seals area frequently seen in the outer lochs and open waters, whilst the more sheltered sea lochs contain rocky reefs, maerl beds and deep mud banks. Loch Carron
1564-565: The early 19th century, due to the demands of the new industrial cities and the British armed forces for cattle for beef. The clan structure began to break down in the 18th century, as clan chiefs came to see themselves as landlords, and the small tenant farmers had no legal answer to a landlord who wished to have them removed. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Highland Clearances saw tenants being forcibly moved to become crofters ,
1610-587: The films Stardust and The Eagle (based on Rosemary Sutcliff 's book The Eagle of the Ninth ) were shot in Wester Ross. Plockton was used for shots showing Sergeant Neil Howie's arrival at Summerisle in The Wicker Man . The 2014 film What We Did on Our Holiday starring David Tennant , Rosamund Pike , and Billy Connolly , was filmed in Wester Ross and featured the Salmon Beach and Redpoint. Wester Ross
1656-630: The first past the post system of election. Wester Ross is featured in the lyrics to the song " Letter from America " by The Proclaimers , and "Kishorn Commandos" by North Sea Gas, which relate the wild lifestyle of construction workers on the Ninian Central Platform in Kishorn . Many other songs refer to or are named after areas, geographical features and villages of Wester Ross, notably Loch Maree Islands, which has been recorded by many artists including Calum Kennedy . Major outdoor scenes in
1702-576: The major roads in the area radiate out from the more populated areas of Easter Ross, and link the settlements on the western coast to Inverness . Less major roads link these east–west routes to form a north–south route along the coast between Kyle of Lochalsh and Ullapool . This route has been marketed to tourists as the Wester Ross Coastal Trail , and also forms part of the North Coast 500 tourist route. The only railway line in Wester Ross
1748-457: The mountain including both of the above peaks is a challenging expedition; the intervening ridge is for the most part a series of rocky pinnacles known as Am Fasarinen ( The Teeth ), which reaches a height of 927 metres at the western end and is considered a Munro "top". There are few places on the ridge for descent, so once committed, the walker has little choice but to complete the entire ridge walk. The pinnacles can however be avoided by means of
1794-542: The pinewoods of central and eastern Scotland, and support a highly specialised flora and fauna including rare mosses and lichens, and insects such as the Scottish wood ant . The pinewoods are also habitats for red squirrel and black grouse . Moorland habitats, which are rare globally, are quite common in Wester Ross. The moors are characterised by blanket bogs composed of sphagnum mosses , and host breeding birds such as golden plover , greenshank and dunlin , along with
1840-518: The quartzite contains fossilized worm burrows and is known as pipe rock . It is about 500 million years old. The Torridon landscape is itself highly denuded by glacial and alluvial action, and represents the remnants of an ancient peneplain . Liathach has four listed "Tops" in the Munro Tables, Meall Dearg at 3133 feet (955 m) stands off the main ridge at the end of the Northern Pinnacles which run north from Mullach an Rathain. The route along
1886-684: The range of wildlife that can be seen. It is a popular tourist destination, receiving around 70,000 visitors each year. Tourism forms a major part of the economic activity of the area, accounting for 35% of all employment. Other major economic activities in the area include commercial fishing , renewable energy , agriculture and fish farming . Much of Wester Ross is designated as a national scenic area , one of 40 such areas in Scotland which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure their protection from inappropriate development. Scenic spots including Loch Maree , Inverewe Garden , Corrieshalloch Gorge , Glen Docherty and
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1932-402: The scrambler or hillwalker must complete the entire ridge before descent. Under winter conditions, many walking routes in Wester Ross become serious expeditions. In contrast to the isolated Torridonian peaks that characterise much of Wester Ross, the mountains of Kintail in the south of the area take the form of peaks linked by ridges that rise steeply from narrow glens and the sea. Most of
1978-435: The title of Lord of the Isles until 1493, and two of those chiefs also held the title of Earl of Ross until 1476. During this period the area was farmed under the communal run-rig system, with people living in small townships , growing oats , bere ( barley ), and later potatoes . Cattle-rearing was the chief economic activity, with cattle being raised in the glens and then driven to market. This trade expanded during
2024-469: The underlying Lewisian gneiss , upon the uneven surface of which they rest, but the bulk of the material was obtained from rocks that are nowhere now exposed. Upon this ancient denuded land surface the Torridonian strata rest horizontally or with gentle inclination . Some of the peaks, such as Beinn Eighe , are capped with white quartzite , giving them a distinctive appearance when seen from afar. Some of
2070-401: Was 8701 according to the 2011 census of Scotland , showing a slight increase compared to 8491 in 1991. The population is generally older than Scotland as a whole, with 22.1% being aged 65 or older, compared to 16.8% for Scotland as a whole. The area is sparsely populated, having one of the lowest population densities in Europe, with just 1.6 people per km . Wester Ross has historically been
2116-558: Was largely Christian by the 7th century. From the 8th century Wester Ross, along with much of the western seaboard of Scotland, came under Norse domination , and placename evidence suggests that the Pictish language seems to have been entirely replaced wherever the Norsemen encountered it, with most names considered likely to be of Medieval rather than pre-Norse origin. Following the decline of Norse power in western Scotland after their defeat at
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