Aultbea

Aultbea
Scottish Gaelic: An t-Allt Beithe
The Aultbea Hotel on the foreshore
Aultbea  Aultbea shown within the Highland council area
Population	370
OS grid reference	NG872890
Civil parish	Gairloch
Council area	Highland
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ACHNASHEEN
Postcode district	IV22
Dialling code	01445
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Scottish Parliament	Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
List of places UK Scotland

Coordinates: 57°50′24″N 5°35′10″W / 57.840°N 5.586°W / 57.840; -5.586

Aultbea (Gaelic: An t-Allt Beithe) 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, a Primary School, 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 Stornoway. 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.

Sport

Aultbea has an amateur football team, although they play 14 miles (23 km) 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 Premier League side Ross County F.C., based in Dingwall 70 miles (110 km) 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 II 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, blue bar situated at the side of the Aultbea Hotel which offers great views of the shore and bird life. The Loch Ewe Whisky Distillery is the smallest distillery in UK, maybe of the world ^[1]

Geography and climate

The coast is affected by the Gulf Stream, 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, around the equinox 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.

References

• Aultbea