Four hundred yards from the Old Smiddy Guest House is  

Laide Post Office, behind which is the minor road that leads to Mellon Udrigle and its fine sandy beach.  

In a short distance is a track which leads down to the ruins of a chapel believed, by some, to be  built by St Columba about 500 AD.

Further along the road and just before it narrows, is a second track that leads down to Laide Jetty.

The views across Gruinard Bay to the Scottish Northern Highlands from here, the chapel and the self catering bungalow are superb with Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and An Teallach rising up on the eastern side of the bay.

The single track road continues for another three miles to the tiny community of Mellon Udrigle.

Here, there is a small car park and a board walk onto the beautiful beach at Mellon Udrigle

The panorama here, although similar to that from Laide jetty and chapel, is even more spectacular and must rank as one of the finest coastal views anywhere in

the United Kingdom.

A favourite walk is to follow the cliffs around the headland at Mellon Udrigle.

The guide books give a time of  one and a quarter hours but a number of our guests have, on a fine day, spent three to four hours on the circuit.

The first section, across the peninsular is relatively flat and along a reasonable path. The remainder of the walk is on less well defined sheep paths.  

As well as the splendid views, visitors can hope to see a variety of seabirds such as cormorants, shags and gannets as well as seals and, if really lucky, an otter or two playing among the rocks.

 In the centre of Gruinard Bay is Gruinard Island, famous as the site for the testing of Anthrax bombs in 1942.

Gruinard Island is also one of the habitats of the

White Tailed Sea Eagles.

Next to the Old Smiddy bed and breakfast is Laide Wood. Although seriously damaged and closed in November 2005 due to a hurricane, it was re-opened to visitors in April 2007. The  paths offer gentle strolls with the chance to admire the two lochs and their abundance of water lilies, and the possibility of sighting a buzzard or two flying overhead.  

www.laidewood.org.uk

Laide Chapel

Gruinard Bay & An Teallach  

Cottages at Mellon Udrigle

Gruinard Bay

Cliffs at Mellon Udrigle

Laide & Gruinard Bay

Loch in Laide Wood