Slattadale, on the south shore of Loch Maree, between Gairloch and Kinlochewe, Highland, Scotland
Slattadale Forest
Forest recreation landscape
Source image
6.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3At Slattadale, woodland meets the shore of Loch Maree, with the loch’s islands and the mountains of Letterewe opening out across the water.
This is a Highland forest with a rare combination of lochside access, pockets of ancient oak and birch, and views towards islands holding remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood. Its appeal is the meeting of trees, open water and mountain scenery—not a promise of a long or highly developed visitor itinerary.
Peaceful · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapSlattadale, on the south shore of Loch Maree, between Gairloch and Kinlochewe, Highland, Scotland
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The experience
Keep the visit simple: stroll beneath the trees, find a place to picnic by the shore, and give time to the view across Loch Maree. The supplied sources do not confirm swimming or paddling permission.
Things to do
Stroll beneath the forest trees
Enjoy a walk in the lochside forest. The source confirms strolling is an activity, but does not give a specific Slattadale route length or difficulty.
Picnic beside Loch Maree
Take a picnic by the shore and look across the loch to the islands and the Letterewe mountains.
Look for ancient woodland character
Notice the forest’s pockets of ancient oak and birch, then look across Loch Maree towards islands with remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: forest and lochside
- 01
Start from the Slattadale car park.
- 02
Take a gentle stroll beneath the forest trees and pause by the shore of Loch Maree.
- 03
Spend time looking across the loch to its islands and the mountains of Letterewe.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Loch Maree
- 01
Begin with a stroll beneath the trees at Slattadale.
- 02
Pause by the loch for a picnic and views across the islands towards Letterewe.
- 03
If you want a more substantial walk, drive to the Beinn Eighe reserve’s Coille na Glas-Leitir car park and choose a waymarked woodland trail from there; check route details and conditions before setting out.
Verified history
The supplied sources describe pockets of ancient oak and birch in Slattadale Forest and ancient Caledonian pinewood remnants on Loch Maree’s islands. They do not provide a dated history of Slattadale House.
Hidden details
Ancient woodland in pockets — The forest is not described as uniformly ancient: Forestry and Land Scotland specifically notes pockets of ancient oak and birch woodland.
Pinewood remnants on the loch islands — The islands in Loch Maree hold remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood—a detail to seek out from the shore.
When to go
· Daylight on a clear, calm day for the loch and mountain views.
Forestry and Land Scotland presents Slattadale as a year-round forest destination but does not identify a best season. Visibility and conditions will affect the experience.
Check the Highland forecast and current local alerts before travelling. Open water and changeable outdoor conditions are noted in the destination’s active notices.
Worth pairing with
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
For a longer outing, the reserve offers waymarked woodland and mountain trails from its visitor centre and the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park. Trail difficulty and conditions vary; check the reserve information before choosing a route.
What to look for
Look for the contrast between the forest’s pockets of ancient oak and birch and the ancient Caledonian pinewood remnants on the loch’s islands. Across the water, pick out the mountains of Letterewe.
The story
Ancient woodland and the surviving remnants of Caledonian pinewood on Loch Maree’s islands.
Best time to go
All year; choose a clear, calm day for the best views across Loch Maree.
Visit in daylight on a clear, relatively calm day to appreciate the views over the water to the islands and mountains. Check local notices and weather before travelling.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Practical information
Opening & access
Forestry and Land Scotland describes Slattadale as a place to stroll beneath the trees and picnic beside Loch Maree. The Slattadale car park gives views across the loch and islands. Check current notices and conditions before setting out.
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Parking
Slattadale car park is identified by NatureScot as the access point with the best views across Loch Maree and its islands. Check current parking details before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
No on-site café information confirmed; check before visiting.
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Path surfaces, gradients and accessible facilities at Slattadale are not specified in the supplied sources. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Check before visiting
Water
Loch
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Slattadale Forest
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
