Lochcarron

Lochcarron
Lochcarron
Lochcarron shown within the Highland council area
Population 893 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference NG857387
Community council
  • Lochcarron
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Lochcarron
Postcode district IV54
Dialling code 01520
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Lochcarron (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Carrann) is a village, community and civil parish in the Wester Ross area of Highland, Scotland. It has a population of 923.[2]

Local information

The name Lochcarron is also applied to the collection of small settlements strung out along Loch Carron, a sea loch on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty. The village stretches for almost 2 miles, meandering along the shore of the loch. It means "Loch of rough water". In the 19th Century the village was named Janetown, then Jeantown.[3] The local newspaper, An Carrannach, is published on a monthly basis.

Local services

Lochcarron contains a variety of local services. These include:

  • Two petrol stations, one at either end of the village (one 24hr)
  • Spar shop, which contains a Post Office counter. The shop is open 7 days a week
  • Highland Council service point (located at library)
  • Two hotels offering regular entertainment, sit-in or take-away meals
  • Restaurants - Lochcarron Bistro
  • Cafes - The Waterside & The Tee Off
  • Nursing home, attached to which is the local library
  • Medical centre
  • Tartan weaving factory
  • Community hall offering a range of public events including ceilidhs and sales; and sports such as indoor bowls and short tennis
  • Heritage centre

Self-catering is popular amongst the local population and visitors to the area. This is reflected in the large number of self catering and bed and breakfast establishments, many of which are members of the local business association.[4]

The surrounding area

Lochcarron is a central location for hillwalking and touring the West Coast Highlands, including the Torridon, Plockton and Skye regions. Not too far from the village lies the famous road Bealach na Bà (Gaelic: Pass of the cattle), which links the town of Applecross to the rest of the mainland. It is a road popular with tourists, drivers, and motorcyclists alike for its stunning scenery and hairpin bends.

Primary and secondary education

The local primary school stands at the entrance to the village, with approximately 40 pupils (as of April 2015). The primary school offers both English and Gaelic Medium education. Plockton High School is the nearest secondary school to Lochcarron.

Area employment

Currently the area's biggest employment sectors include tourism, crofting, and fish farming. Other employers include transportation via sea and road, and quarry work. Service industries include engineering, motor garages, health services and education. The Howard Doris Centre is a European leader in the care of the elderly, and employs people in the care sector. Many people in the area are self-employed.

Sport and recreation

There are many popular and established clubs within Lochcarron:

Sailing is a popular activity amongst the local and visiting population, and as such, a local RYA accredited, and Volvo Championship Club hosts free sailing sessions every Wednesday evening (between April and October), and racing sessions every Sunday afternoon. It currently enlists over 100 members.[5]

Lochcarron is home to the local shinty team Lochcarron Camanachd. The team currently play their home games at Battery Park in the west end of the village. The playing field is used during the week for training, and knockabout sessions.

Golf is another popular sport within the village. The golf course itself is a 9-hole course. The club is over 150 years old, and contains a clubhouse which offers catering facilities and golf clubs available to hire.

The nearby Attadale hosts an annual Highland Games every third Saturday of July.

References

  1. ↑ "Scotland's Census 2011: Civil Parish of Lochcarron". National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  2. ↑ General Register Office for Scotland : Census 2001 : Usual Resident Population : Lochcarron Civil Parish Archived 2012-03-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-11-18
  3. ↑ John E Wilson. The Gazetteer of Scotland. Heritage Books. p. 247. ISBN 9781888265071.
  4. ↑ "Lochcarron and District Business Association". Lochcarron and District Business Association.
  5. ↑ "Lochcarron Sailing Club - Home". lochcarronsailing.com.
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