Rua Reidh Lighthouse, Wester Ross

Lighthouse near Wester Ross

Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Rua Reidh Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 2.0 / ms.akr

Rua Reidh Lighthouse stands on a remote, wave-battered headland at Rubha Rèidh, close to the entrance of Loch Ewe in Wester Ross. It is the kind of place you come for the scale of the coastline: black rock, restless water, and a horizon that feels more Hebridean than mainland, with the Minch stretching out toward distant islands on a clear day.

Because the buildings now operate as private accommodation, you visit for the setting and the story rather than an interior tour, which makes it one of the top sights in Gairloch if you like landscapes with real character. It also fits naturally into a walking tour of Gairloch when you want to trade village views for something raw and elemental, as long as you plan ahead for the remoteness and respect the site’s privacy.

History and Significance of the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

The name Rua Reidh is a semi-anglicised form of Rubha Rèidh, meaning a flat or smooth headland, which makes sense the moment you see how the land runs out into the sea. A lighthouse was first proposed for the point in the mid-19th century, but construction did not begin until 1908 under engineer David Alan Stevenson, and the light was first exhibited in 1912.

Early operation relied on a paraffin lamp before later electrification, and the station also had a fog signal service installed from the outset, reflecting how dangerous this coast can be in poor visibility. That fog signal was withdrawn in September 1980, and the lighthouse later became automated, part of the wider shift away from resident keepers.

One of the most satisfying “local connections” is that the lighthouse's historic equipment did not vanish into storage: the lens and associated items, along with the foghorn and clockwork mechanism, are displayed at Gairloch Museum. If you enjoy understanding what you are looking at rather than just ticking off viewpoints, pairing the lighthouse with the museum gives the visit a much richer narrative arc.

Things to See and Do in the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

The main event is the view. On a clear day, spend time scanning the Minch and the skyline, because the perspective out to sea is unusually open and you can often pick out distant landforms and shifting weather bands that never quite reach you. Even when conditions are grey, the cliffs and surf make the scene feel cinematic, and it is one of those places where “bad” weather can be part of the appeal rather than a deal-breaker.

Look around the site for traces of how a working lighthouse station functioned, especially the remnants linked to the old fog signal infrastructure. Knowing that the fog service ran for decades and was later withdrawn helps you read the place differently: it is not just a tower on a cliff, but a system designed to keep ships safe in a stretch of water that can turn unforgiving quickly.

If you want to turn a short stop into a satisfying half-day, add Gairloch Museum to see the original lens and foghorn mechanism, then return to the coast with those details in mind. It is a simple way to connect the romance of the location with the engineering and lived reality behind it, without needing a formal guided tour.

How to Get to the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

The most practical airport for this part of Wester Ross is Inverness Airport (INV), then continue northwest toward Gairloch and Melvaig by road. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Wester Ross on Booking.com.

If you are coming by rail, the simplest approach is to take the train to Inverness and then continue by bus or car toward Gairloch.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. The final leg is the real constraint: there is no public transport to the lighthouse itself, so you will need to plan for a lift, taxi arrangements from the wider area, or a walk-in approach that respects local access and signage.

If you are travelling by car, use Gairloch as your service base and expect narrow single-track roads as you head out toward Melvaig, with the understanding that vehicle access to the lighthouse is reserved for booked guests and you may need to park further back and continue on foot depending on conditions and local restrictions.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

  • Entrance fee: Free (exterior viewing only).
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours. The lighthouse buildings operate as private accommodation and are not open for public tours; vehicle access to the lighthouse is for booked guests only.
  • Official website: https://www.nlb.org.uk/lighthouses/rubh-reidh/
  • Best time to visit: Aim for a clear, calm day if you want long-distance island views; if you are chasing drama, a breezy day with fast-moving clouds can be spectacular.
  • How long to spend: Plan 45-90 minutes for the viewpoint and a gentle wander, or half a day if you add Gairloch Museum and other nearby coastal stops.
  • Accessibility: The setting is rugged and exposed, with uneven ground and weather that can change quickly, so it is best suited to confident walkers.
  • Facilities: There is no visitor centre, so bring water, layers, and anything you need, and plan rest stops back in Gairloch or nearby villages.

Where to Stay Close to the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

For a culture-heavy itinerary with easy services and dining, base yourself in Gairloch so you can mix coastal drives with museums and village walks; if your main focus is wild landscapes and remote headlands, staying around Badachro or the quieter edges of the area gives you quicker access to viewpoints and coastal light. For a dependable base right in Gairloch, Gairloch Hotel is well placed for day trips in multiple directions. If you prefer something friendly and traditional on the shore, Myrtle Bank Hotel is a straightforward option with a classic Highlands feel. For a more secluded stay near Badachro with a lodge-style atmosphere, Shieldaig Lodge suits travellers who want the landscape to be the main event.

Is the Rua Reidh Lighthouse Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy places where the journey and the setting are as memorable as the landmark itself. You are not coming for a guided interior, but for a remote, high-drama headland and a lighthouse story that still feels tangible through the museum exhibits and surviving station features.

It is especially worthwhile if you build it into a wider Wester Ross day, using Gairloch as your base and treating Rua Reidh as the “big-sky” stop that gives the coast its full scale. With sensible planning for weather and remoteness, it is the kind of visit that lingers long after you have driven back.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, this works best as a “short and strong” stop: arrive, take in the view, tell a simple story about why lighthouses matter, then move on before wind and exposure become tiring. The museum pairing in Gairloch can be a helpful follow-up because it turns the visit into something concrete and hands-on, especially when children can see the lens and imagine how the light worked.

Keep expectations realistic: there are no visitor-style facilities on site and the terrain is not playground-friendly, so snacks, layers, and clear boundaries are important. If you plan the day around shorter outdoor bursts with warm indoor breaks in between, it can be a memorable family highlight rather than an endurance test.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the romance here is not candlelit, it is elemental: big weather, open water, and that feeling of being on the edge of the map. Go at golden hour if conditions allow, linger with a flask, and treat the lighthouse as a backdrop for a slower coastal day rather than a rushed “photo stop.”

If you want to deepen the experience, add Gairloch Museum for context, then return to the shore with the engineering story in mind. It is a simple way to make the visit feel more personal, like you are reading the landscape rather than just passing through it.

Budget Travelers

This is a strong budget stop because the exterior visit costs nothing, and the best part is the landscape. The key is planning: bring food, water, and the right layers so you are not forced into expensive last-minute detours, and build a route that links multiple free coastal viewpoints in one loop.

If you are watching costs, base yourself in Gairloch where you have more accommodation options and can keep driving distances efficient. Adding the museum is an optional spend that can be well worth it if you want the lens-and-foghorn story that makes the lighthouse feel real, not just scenic.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (200)

Rua Reidh Lighthouse, a modest B&B at an isolated 1912 lighthouse in Melvaig, Gairloch IV21 2EA, offers continental breakfast and optional dinners; visitors praise its spectacular coastal setting and sea views, cosy, well-decorated accommodation (including a self-contained Hide and apartments) warmed by a wood-burning stove, and a welcoming host who provides thoughtful touches like an initial supper and breakfast provisions. Guests note remote, great walking and wildlife-spotting opportunities (dolphins, basking sharks, even orcas), several parking areas at varying distances, boggy cliff paths and a weather station route, and caution that narrow, weight-restricted bridges and sheep on the road make the approach unsuitable for large RVs or campervans.

Brian Daye
6 months ago
"Amazing historic lighthouse, well worth a sightseeing drive to this beautiful vista, stop breath and watch the dolphins & basking sharks. Difficultdrive for large vehicles, there are many weight restricted narrow bridges on route, not ideal for large campervans, small cars will be fine...."
Michael Day
a year ago
"Completely fabulous! We stayed in the Hide, alongside the Lighthouse. Spectacular setting, cosy and artfully decorated, warm due to wood burningstove and plentiful supply of fuel. It's wonderfully remote with great walks and the chance to see special wildlife (for us, a small pod of Orcas). Susan, the owner, could not have been kinder, or more helpful and welcoming (thank you!). First night supper was waiting for us in the slow cooker plus all the food we would need for breakfast. We also had a look at the apartments in the main house - which are great too. Take all the supplies you'll need for your stay (it is a long way from shops), don't get in the car till you have to leave, and immerse yourself in sea views to remember forever...."
Sean Cartwright
a year ago
"I didn’t stay at hotel came for a walk there are 3 parking areas 2.6 miles away 1.3 away and just up from the light house great views to isle of skyeand just see apple cross on a clear day. If you go at dusk you can see the light house in operation. Theres a walk up the cliffs and back via the weather station but its very boggy. The road was is flat and good view be warned the 2 small bridges are only rated 7.5 ton so wouldn’t bring large RV and motorhomes down to far as the road doesn’t cater for them. Also lots of sheep if your dog is reactive be weary..."

FAQs for Visiting the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Getting There

It stands on Rubha Rèidh at the entrance to Loch Ewe, on a remote headland in Wester Ross. It is best thought of as a coastal outpost reached from the Gairloch and Melvaig area rather than a quick roadside stop.
The most straightforward plan is to start from the nearest practical access point in the Melvaig area and walk in, keeping an eye on signage and weather. Treat it as a remote walk where the point is the coastline as much as the building.
You can get to Inverness by rail and continue by bus toward Gairloch, but the last leg is the challenge. Expect to arrange a taxi in advance or plan a walking approach from the nearest public road access.
It is worth it if you enjoy remote coastal scenery and do not mind slow single-track roads, but it is not efficient for a rushed itinerary. If your schedule is tight, choose closer Gairloch viewpoints and save Rua Reidh for a day when you can take your time.

Tickets & Entry

No, there are no public interior tours because the buildings operate as private accommodation. Visit for the views and the exterior story rather than expecting a museum-style experience.
They are part of private accommodation, so you should not assume access beyond what is clearly permitted. If you are unsure, take a conservative approach and keep to public paths and viewpoints.
Gairloch Museum displays key lighthouse equipment, including the lens and foghorn mechanism, which helps you understand how the station actually worked. It is the easiest way to turn a scenic stop into a story-led visit.

Visiting Experience

Prioritise the main viewpoint and a short wander to appreciate the headland, then leave while conditions still feel comfortable. The most common mistake is underestimating how quickly weather and wind can drain your energy here.
Yes, within reason, because dramatic skies are part of the appeal, but only if you are properly dressed and comfortable in exposed conditions. If visibility is very low or winds are severe, it is better to choose sheltered stops around Gairloch and return another day.
Notice how the lighthouse sits as part of a working station rather than a standalone tower, with traces of older infrastructure still readable in the site. That perspective makes the place feel engineered and lived-in, not just picturesque.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It tends to appear on nature- and scenery-focused routes rather than classic “attraction lists,” because it rewards travellers who like remote edges. If you are following a Wester Ross road trip, it is a strong “end-of-the-road” highlight.
Not usually, because there is no standard public tour infrastructure on site. If you want deeper context, the better approach is to pair the visit with Gairloch Museum and read the landscape with that background in mind.

Photography

Yes, especially for wide coastal compositions where the lighthouse anchors a much bigger scene. The strongest images often come from stepping back and letting cliffs, sea, and sky dominate the frame.
Late afternoon and early evening often give the most texture on the cliffs and sea, while early morning can feel quieter and cleaner. If you are chasing mood, broken cloud and shifting sun can be more interesting than a perfect blue sky.
Wind is the big one: it can shake long lenses and make drone or tripod use difficult. Plan for fast-changing light and protect your gear from salt spray if the sea is lively.

Accessibility & Facilities

It can be challenging because the setting is exposed and the ground is not designed as a fully accessible visitor site. If mobility is a concern, you may prefer viewpoints closer to Gairloch with easier surfaces and facilities.
No, so you should plan facilities in Gairloch or other villages before you head out. Treat this as a self-sufficient visit where preparation makes the difference between enjoyable and uncomfortable.

Safety & Timing

It can be, but only if you have clear conditions, good footwear, and a realistic plan for getting back without rushing. In poor visibility or strong wind, it is better to visit earlier and keep sunset for more accessible coastal viewpoints.
Yes, in the sense that help and services are not close by. Tell someone your plan, keep your phone charged, and dress for conditions that can change quickly on an exposed headland.

Nearby Attractions to the Rua Reidh Lighthouse

  • Gairloch Museum, a compact local museum with the original Rua Reidh lighthouse lens and foghorn mechanism for deeper context.
  • Red Point Beach, a beautiful sandy beach with big views and a classic Wester Ross “empty coastline” feel.
  • Inverewe Garden, a celebrated coastal garden near Poolewe with surprising plant life for the latitude and excellent sea views.
  • Loch Ewe viewpoints, a scenic loch with a strong wartime story and dramatic light over the water on changeable days.
  • Firemore Beach, a wide, photogenic beach on the shores of Loch Ewe that is ideal for a quiet walk and sunset skies.

The Rua Reidh Lighthouse appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Wester Ross!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours. The lighthouse buildings operate as private accommodation and are not open for public tours; vehicle access to the lighthouse is for booked guests only.

Price:

Free (exterior viewing only).

Address: Rua Reidh Lighthouse, Melvaig, Gairloch, UK
Wester Ross: 27 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

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