Activities

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There is no shortage of potential activities to enjoy during your stay at the Ice House, whether you seek a family vacation, a retreat from the modern world, or highland adventures. Local offerings encompass golf, sea and fly fishing, walking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, whale watching and sailing. 

While the Ice House provides access to small beaches,  a short drive takes you to truly magnificent beaches  such as Mellon Udrigle (7 minutes) and Gruinard (10 minutes) offering lovely walks and swimming. To the south, Red Point beach (50 minutes) and Gairloch beach  (25 minutes) are both well worth an expedition. 

Explore Greenstone peninsular by walking or cycling from the Ice House to the ruined Slaggan village and beach on a rough road—a must-do experience. Nearby at Poolewe, don't miss the renowned Inverewe gardens. There is a huge range of hiking and hill walking opportunities including the majestic An Teallach. 

Equipped with guidebooks, maps, and literature on walks, flora, fauna and wildlife our little library at the Ice House caters to varied interests as well as offering fiction and non-fiction. 

There are a number of cafes and places to eat out within easy driving distance of the Ice House:

Aultbea Hotel and Jam Jar Bar

Bridge Cottage Art Café, Poolewe

Pool House Café, Poolewe

Coast Coffee Company, Gairloch

Community Café at the Gale Centre, Gairloch

Am Bard café at Gairloch Museum

The Mountain Coffee Co., Gairloch

Links Café, Gairloch Golf Club

Black Pearl Creole Kitchen, Gairloch

The Old Inn, Gairloch

The Badachro Inn, Badachro

Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, Badachro

Much further afield, there lots of places to eat and have coffee in Ullapool including The Ceilidh Place and the Seafood Shack. 

Some cafes and restaurants have restricted opening days and hours during the year or are closed in winter, so best to check availability before you go. 

Brown trout fishing is available in the area, with permits obtainable from Laide Post Office. Productive sea fishing for pollock and mackerel is also available from boat or shore, and guests are welcome to launch a boat or kayak from the community stone jetty near the Ice House for a donation into the honesty box. Kayaks and boats can be rented at Gairloch and kayak lessons and trips are also available there and in Poolewe.

Various whale, dolphin, marine life and wildlife cruises are available at Gairloch which also has a challenging nine hole golf course. 

Local museums include the Arctic Convoy museum at Aultbea and the Gairloch Museum located in a converted nuclear bunker in Gairloch which showcases the history, culture and natural heritage of the North West Highlands.