Kinlochewe, Achnasheen, Wester Ross, Scotland
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
8.1
Wildland
Half day
Time
Free entry to the visitor centre
Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.1At Beinn Eighe, a visitor-centre window looking over woodland, a pond and bird feeders is an easy introduction to a much larger reserve of mountain and woodland trails beside Loch Maree.
This is a substantial Highland reserve with more than one way to experience it: start with the visitor centre’s wildlife-viewing window and displays, then head to the separate trail car park for woodland and mountain walks. Loch Maree views give the wider landscape its scale; choose a walk to suit the weather and your experience.
Wild · Dramatic · Big-sky · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapKinlochewe, Achnasheen, Wester Ross, Scotland
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The experience
Begin with the free visitor centre’s displays, 3D map and wildlife-viewing window. For a longer visit, continue to the woodland and mountain trails at Coille na Glas-Leitir, or drive farther along the A832 to Slattadale for views over Loch Maree and its islands. Trail details and conditions should be checked before setting off.
Things to do
Explore the visitor-centre displays
Use the panoramic displays, photography, information boards and 3D map to get an introduction to the reserve and plan where to go.
Watch the woodland pond from the viewing window
Look for wildlife from the visitor-centre window, which faces woodland, a pond and bird feeders. Which species are present can vary; check the centre’s current wildlife information.
Choose a woodland or mountain trail
The trails start from the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park, about 2.5 km west of the visitor centre on the A832. Consult current reserve information for route choice and conditions.
Take in Loch Maree from Slattadale
Drive about 15 km farther along the A832 towards Gairloch to Slattadale car park, identified by NatureScot as the place for the best views across Loch Maree and the islands.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow about an hour; exact visit duration not specified.
Quick visit: the centre and wildlife window
- 01
Visit the centre during its April–October opening period, 10am–5pm.
- 02
Use the panoramic displays, information boards and 3D map to get an introduction to the reserve.
- 03
Look out from the viewing window towards the woodland pond and bird feeders.
Half day · Half day; exact trail durations are not provided.
Make a half day of it: centre, trail and loch views
- 01
Start at the visitor centre and use its displays and 3D map to plan your visit.
- 02
Drive about 2.5 km west on the A832 to the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park, where the mountain and woodland trails start.
- 03
Choose a trail in line with current conditions and your ability; consult the reserve leaflet or current on-site information for route details.
- 04
If time and conditions allow, continue about 15 km along the A832 towards Gairloch to Slattadale car park for views across Loch Maree and the islands.
Hidden details
A wildlife-viewing window at the centre — The visitor centre’s window looks over woodland towards a pond and bird feeders, so wildlife-watching can begin before you head onto a trail.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Visit the centre between 10am and 5pm, April–October. For walks, choose a time when weather and visibility suit your route; no more specific recommendation is supported by the supplied evidence.
The reserve can be visited at any time of year, while the visitor centre is open April–October. The supplied information does not establish specific seasonal wildlife peaks.
Mountain and woodland trail conditions are not detailed in the supplied sources. Check current local conditions and reserve information before setting out, particularly for mountain routes.
Worth pairing with
Kinlochewe
The village is the nearest settlement identified for reserve access; the visitor centre is about 3 km north-west of Kinlochewe by road. Specific businesses or facilities are not verified here.
Slattadale car park and Loch Maree viewpoints
A further stop about 15 km along the A832 towards Gairloch, noted by NatureScot for views across Loch Maree and the islands.
What to look for
Look through the visitor-centre window towards the woodland pond and bird feeders. Use the centre’s 3D map and wildlife information boards to orient yourself before choosing a trail or viewpoint.
The story
Nature conservation and the reserve’s landscape; further historical detail not established by the supplied evidence.
Best time to go
Year-round for the reserve; April–October for the visitor centre. Check current conditions before setting out on trails.
The visitor centre is open April–October, 10am–5pm. The reserve itself is open to visitors year-round; check trail and weather conditions before choosing a walk.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The reserve can be visited year-round. The visitor centre is open April–October, 10am–5pm, with free entry. The main visitor access is near Kinlochewe; the woodland and mountain-trail car park is about 2.5 km west of the visitor centre on the A832.
Parking
The source identifies car parks at the visitor centre, Coille na Glas-Leitir trailhead and Slattadale. Exact capacity and charges: Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets at the visitor centre, open 10am–5pm, according to NatureScot.
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
NatureScot’s visitor page describes visitors with a dog at the visitor-centre trail; check current reserve guidance and signage for rules before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. NatureScot describes picnic benches at the visitor centre as having good wheelchair access. Trail accessibility and surfaces: Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free entry to the visitor centre; other costs not established.
Water
Loch Maree; a pond is visible from the visitor-centre wildlife-viewing window. No swimming or paddling permission established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
