Lochcarron
| Lochcarron Gaelic: Loch Carrann | |
| Ross-shire | |
|---|---|
 Lochcarron Foreshore | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NG857387 |
| Location: | 57°24’-0"N, 5°30’0"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 923 |
| Post town: | Lochcarron |
| Postcode: | IV54 |
| Dialling code: | 01520 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Highland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Ross, Skye and Lochaber |
Lochcarron is a village and parish on the west coast of Ross-shire. It has a population of 923.[1]
Local information
The name Lochcarron is also applied to the collection of small settlements strung out along Loch Carron. The village stretches for almost two miles, meandering along the shore of the loch. In the 19th Century the village was named Janetown, then Jeantown.[2] The local newspaper, An Carrannach, is published on a monthly basis.
The surrounding area
Lochcarron is a central location for hillwalking and touring the West Coast Highlands, including the Torridon, Plockton and Skye regions. Not too far from the village lies the famous road Bealach na Bà (Gaelic for Pass of the cattle), which links the town of Applecross to the rest of the mainland. It is a road popular with tourists, drivers, and motorcyclists alike for its stunning scenery and hairpin bends.
Employment
Currently the area's biggest employment sectors include tourism, crofting, and fish farming. Other employers include transportation via sea and road, and quarry work. Service industries include engineering, motor garages, health services and education.
Sport and recreation
Sailing is a popular activity amongst the local and visiting population, and as such, a local Royal Yachting Association-accredited, and Volvo Championship Club hosts free sailing sessions every Wednesday evening (between April and October), and racing sessions every Sunday afternoon. The Club's Website
Lochcarron is home to the local shinty team Lochcarron Camanachd. The team currently play their home games at Battery Park in the west end of the village. The playing field is used during the week for training, and knockabout sessions.
Golf is another popular sport within the village. The golf course itself is a 9-hole course. The club is over 150 years old, and contains a clubhouse which offers catering facilities and golf clubs available to hire.
Nearby Attadale hosts an annual Highland Games every third Saturday of July.
References
- ↑ General Register Office for Scotland : Census 2001 : Usual Resident Population : Lochcarron Civil Parish Retrieved 2009-11-18
- ↑ John E Wilson. The Gazetteer of Scotland. Heritage Books. pp. 247. ISBN 9781888265071. http://books.google.com/books?id=wGZQFIhkWWYC&lpg=PA247&dq=janetown%20jeantown%20lochcarron&pg=PA247#v=onepage&q=janetown%20jeantown%20lochcarron&f=false.