Slattadale, on the A832 between Gairloch and Kinlochewe, Wester Ross, Highland
Loch Maree Picnic Site – Slattadale
Forest recreation landscape
Place photograph
6.3
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3From the shore at Slattadale, Loch Maree opens towards the mountains of Letterewe. Ancient oak and birch survive in pockets of the surrounding forest, while the loch’s islands preserve remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood.
This is more than a roadside picnic stop: Slattadale gives you a close-up lochside pause with broad mountain views and a glimpse of unusually old woodland. Its appeal is the combination of shoreline, forest and the wooded islands across the water, rather than a long or well-documented trail network.
Peaceful · Big-sky · Wild
Find your way
Open mapSlattadale, on the A832 between Gairloch and Kinlochewe, Wester Ross, Highland
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The experience
Keep this visit simple: pause by the shore, take in the view across Loch Maree to Letterewe, and stroll beneath the trees. The sources do not provide a named circuit or reliable timings for a longer visit.
Things to do
Take in the Loch Maree and Letterewe view
Pause by the lochside and look across the water towards the mountains of Letterewe.
Brief stop; exact duration not specified
Stroll beneath the trees
Enjoy a short walk beneath the forest canopy. The source describes strolling here but does not specify a named route or distance.
Look for the older woodland character
Notice the pockets of ancient oak and birch within the forest, then look towards the loch’s islands, which hold remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood.
Make a wider reserve visit
Pair Slattadale’s loch views with Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. Its visitor centre and trails are at different locations; check the reserve’s visitor information before planning the visit.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour; suggested, not an official duration
Quick escape: shore and mountain view
- 01
Use the Slattadale car park on the A832.
- 02
Take a short, unhurried stroll beneath the trees and pause by the shore of Loch Maree.
- 03
Look across the water towards the mountains of Letterewe.
Verified history
The supplied sources describe ancient oak and birch woodland in pockets of the Slattadale forest and remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood on islands in Loch Maree. They do not provide a more detailed historical account of the picnic site.
Hidden details
Ancient woodland across the water — The island woodland is not simply part of the nearer forest: Forestry and Land Scotland notes remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood on Loch Maree’s islands.
Slattadale is a separate reserve access point — The Slattadale car park is about 15 kilometres beyond the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park along the A832 towards Gairloch. Check which access point suits your plans.
When to go
· No time-of-day preference is established by the supplied sources. Check the forecast and local alerts before travelling.
The reserve information says it can be visited at any time of year; no specific seasonal wildlife or flowering highlights are given for Slattadale.
Check the Highland forecast and Forestry and Land Scotland local alerts. Open-water safety information is linked from the site guide; no swimming permission is established.
Worth pairing with
Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree Islands National Nature Reserve
A worthwhile wider-area pairing for reserve information, woodland and mountain trails, and the visitor centre. Its visitor facilities are at separate locations from Slattadale; check details before planning.
What to look for
- 01
Look across the loch towards the mountains of Letterewe. In the forest, notice the pockets of ancient oak and birch
- 02
the islands across the water hold remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood.
The story
Ancient oak and birch woodland at Slattadale; remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood on islands in Loch Maree.
Best time to go
Any time of year; check weather and local alerts before travelling.
The reserve is described as worth visiting at any time of year. Choose a clear spell for the best chance of seeing the mountain backdrop; conditions can change, so check local alerts.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Families · Couples · Photographers · Walkers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A Forestry and Land Scotland visitor site for strolling beneath the trees and picnicking beside Loch Maree. The Slattadale car park is on the A832; check current local alerts before setting out.
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Parking
Slattadale car park is on the A832; confirm current conditions and access before travelling.
Toilets
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Food & drink
No café or food provision is confirmed; bring what you need for a picnic.
Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. It does not establish the accessibility of paths or shoreline beyond the entrance; check current details before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
Loch
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Loch Maree Picnic Site – Slattadale
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
