Wester Ross Biosphere - UNESCO Trip Planning & Advice

Wester Ross is one of the most spellbinding places in the world. But it's also more than just spectacular scenery.

Slow down and appreciate the delicate and vital connection we share with our environment. Find out how these communities live in harmony with the land and sea.

Discover astounding natural beauty and eco-diversity. This natural playground in the north west Highlands has beautiful beaches, gleaming lochs, centuries-old pinewoods, deep glens, and lofty mountains. There's an incredible array of rare wildlife and plant species of international significance.

The biosphere is 3,000 sq miles including 2 national scenic areas and 3 national nature reserves.

A man looks out from the top of a rocky and grassy mountain, with further hills in the background

A man sits at the side of a path through the trees, mountains around him

A woman stands within a display room at Gairloch Museum, looking at the original lens from Rubh Re lighthouse

A man moves baskets standing on a pier beside a blue creel fishing boat, the hills behind

Looking down over the water, trees and hills behind of Gruinard Bay, a large remote coastal embayment

A closeup of the machines at Lochcarron Weavers, a tartan sample in the loom

A woman admires the plants and trees, a selection of pink, white and red flowers to the side

Discover why Wester Ross is so special

You will find the experience of Wester Ross' communities as captivating as the landscape. Discover authentic Highland culture and tradition. See how people have shaped and enriched this remote environment, and are now embracing a new and sustainable future.

Open your senses to the enthralling sound of the Gaelic language, music, song and storytelling; the flavours harvested using low-intensive methods; and rich craftsmanship and artistry in this secluded but accessible corner of Scotland.

People are amazed by the feeling of remoteness here – only 8,000 people live in the 5,000 km area.”

Natasha, at Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere

Explore the local area

Cycling, walking or kayaking are the best ways to really get in touch with this place. It lets you slow down and really engage with the environment and people.

Crofting culture has left an indelible mark upon the landscape of Wester Ross which you can observe at locations like the wood pasture at Coille Mhor, Drumbuie and Duirinish, and other villages such as Ullapool, Gairloch, Kinlochewe, Garve, Applecross and Glenelg, which embrace traditional low-intensive farming methods.

Sustainable local businesses

These Green Tourism businesses are assessed on everything from energy efficiency to biodiversity and awarded bronze, silver or gold.

We want Scotland's UNESCO Trail to be an opportunity to explore the country in a sustainable and responsible way.

The area is also home to biosphere supporters - these are businesses, communities and groups who are also committed to sustainable development. Check out the north Scotland journey below to see some of these businesses.

Gardens

Attadale Gardens

Attadale Gardens are spectacular gardens with views of Skye and feature an impressive collection of sculpture scattered…

Inn

Applecross Inn

The Inn is situated in the village of Applecross, on the remote Applecross peninsula, in the North West Highlands. The…

Self Catering

The Brochs Of Coigach

The Brochs of Coigach, artistic and architectural gems in one of Britain's most outstanding National Scenic Areas and…

Nature Centres & Reserves

Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve

With a cluster of mountain peaks, ancient pinewoods, secretive crossbills and soaring golden eagles, it's no wonder…

Self Catering

East Bothy

The East Bothy provides comfortable accommodation on an estate at least a mile away from the main road. Peaceful and…

Gardens

Inverewe Garden and Estate

Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Discover a world of wonderful botanicals in the award-winning Inverewe…

Self Catering

New Lodge, New Kelso

An impressive and extremely comfortable lodge with luxury features including - ceilidh shed, double tennis court,…

Country House Hotel

The Torridon Hotel

Set in 58 acres of parkland at the end of a magnificent sea loch, The Torridon has one of the most spectacular and…

Nature Centres & Reserves

Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve

Knockan Crag holds the key to an amazing story of colliding continents and scientific intrigue. The low cliff of…

Best Local Attractions & Experiences

We've highlighted some of the best sustainable businesses around Wester Ross.

A stone driveway up to a building, with bushes of different colours in the garden, and a loch, trees and mountains behind

Attadale Gardens

Explore over 20 acres of tranquil gardens located nearby the village of Plockton with expansive views out over to the Isle of Skye. Horticultural highlights include lily-covered ponds, contemporary sculptures, a dell of rhododendrons and Japanese garden.

Gairloch Museum

Uncover the fascinating stories of the village of Gairloch and the wider north west Highlands at this immersive local history museum housed inside a former Cold War era nuclear bunker. See a replica of an old-fashioned croft, the original lens of the Rubh Re Lighthouse, and interactive exhibits about the region’s nature.

Balmacara Estate

Spend the day exploring this 2,550-hectare National Trust for Scotland estate. Meander along the sheltered walks on the shore of Loch Alsh and pick from a range of guided ranger rambles in the summer months around the traditional Highland estate.

Looking up at Ardessie Falls waterfall coming down the rock and into a pool of water

Looking past a tree and rocky shore, over Loch Maree, with the mountain Slioch in the background

A piece of farming equipment sitting on the grass outside Duirinish Crofting Village

A woman walks along a path amongst the dense forest and grass

Two people in a red canoe on Loch Maree paddling along

An aerial shot of Dun Telve Broch, sitting amongst the green grass and trees

A visitor watches Victoria Falls from the viewing platform in Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve in Wester Ross, North Highlands

How to get here

The Wester Ross Biosphere is situated in the north west Highlands. It is one of the more remote areas of Scotland and has one of the lowest population densities in Europe. Despite this, it is still perfectly accessible to reach and explore.

Train

The nearest largest railway hub is Inverness Station which receives regular services from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. From here, it is possible to journey direct to Wester Ross with a number of stops on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line which is located between Strathcarron and Glen Carron stations.

Bus

Several buses services operate to Inverness from other main towns and cities including the CityLink coach services and Megabus budget buses.

Car

If travelling by car, take care while driving; the narrow, often single-track roads and steep climbs require careful attention. If possible, opt for an electric car or EV (electric vehicle). Charging stations are located throughout the Wester Ross area.

You can also hire a state-of-the-art Tesla and drive to and around Wester Ross. Vehicles are available for collection at Inverness Airport, and hubs in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Wester Ross has four main communities Ullapool, Gairloch, Lochcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh; all can be reached from the town of Fort William in under three hours, depending on the route taken. The city of Inverness is about an hour and 30 minutes from all locations.

Plane

If arriving by air, the nearest airport is Inverness which offers daily flights to and from destinations across the UK and Europe, including London Gatwick and Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester and Amsterdam. Glasgow International Airport offers flights to and from over 100 destinations around the world, as does Aberdeen International Airport.

Plan your journey

Advice on travelling to and around Fort William

Travel information and maps for Inverness

Information on travelling to the wider North Highlands

Search Traveline Scotland for route planning advice

Kyle Train Station

Experience more UNESCO sites

Make Wester Ross part of a longer trip - we can help you plan a trip to both UNESCO sites in north Scotland.

View all Journeys

A woman carrying a walking stick with a backpack looks out over a loch and trees to some hills, from a rocky ledge

UNESCO Sites to Explore in North Scotland

Check out the beautiful UNESCO sites of North Scotland - the Wester Ross Biosphere and the North West Highlands Geopark.

View Journey

Learn more about the UNESCO Trail

Wester Ross was originally designated a UNESCO Biosphere in 1976 as Beinn Eighe, but it was expanded and renamed in 2016. It is part of an international network of over 700 biospheres around the world sharing knowledge, experience and ideas on how to make life better for people and nature.

Learn more about UNESCO

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Every UNESCO designation tries to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals in their work.

WHAT ARE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)?

An urgent call for action from a global partnership of countries.

Recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations comes from strategies to:

improve health and education
reduce inequality
encourage economic growth
tackle climate change

Check out all the UN Sustainable Development Goals

See how to be a responsible visitor to Scotland

A pine cone

Wester Ross Sustainable Development Goals

Here’s how Wester Ross is working towards three of the goals.

Goal 8

Decent work & economic growth

Encouraging and supporting opportunities to become more sustainable in balance with the fragile economy.

Goal 15

Life on land

Conservation of the core and buffer zones is a key priority for the biosphere and promotion of sustainable land use and development is at the heart of their objectives.