Loch Eriboll is a large and very deep sea loch on the way between Tongue and Durness. These days it is a popular part of the NC500 and attracts tourists and sight-seers. But it is important to remember that it is also the only road between Durness and the easterly towns and villages and, as such, is an important route for locals, including school children, commuters and tradespeople. Please remember to be respectful of this and to pull over to allow people who need to actually get somewhere to pass whilst you dawdle and enjoy the spectacular views.
As you climb the hill from the end of Loch Hope to the start of Loch Eriboll, you will see the spit that leads out to the old lime kilns. There is a place to pull over at the side of the road to take photos so please make use of this and be mindful of other road users.
Directly on the other side of the loch from here you can see the road disappearing over the hill towards the sea and this is the same road that you are currently on. Locals must wish there was a bridge across the loch at this point to cut out the trek around the loch, but as a tourist, sit back and enjoy the views as you meander around the 10 mile long loch.
This sea loch has a long military history, particularly during World War II. It was nicknamed "Lock 'orrible" by the British servicemen stationed here during the war due to the often bleak weather. The largest island in the loch, Eilean Choraidh, was used as a pretend German battleship for aerial bombing practice ahead of Operation Tungsten in April 1944, and the German U-boats formally surrendered here in 1945, ending the Battle of the Atlantic.
Drive past the salmon fishing pens and continue on past the remote Eriboll Church, recently restored by Anders and Anne Povlsen. Towards the end of the loch is an isolated house. Here you begin to loop round the base of the loch and start along the other side.
There are a few hamlets along this side, including Laid, and an arty gift shop and a café. On the hillside above Laid, there are stones arranged by sailors from World War II into the names of their warships, including HMS Hood and Amethyst, and these have been repainted over the years to preserve this legacy. If you look across the loch you will see the small Loch Eriboll lighthouse and, below it, a white mark painted on the cliffs below. Keep an eye on that as there is a point where the two align and the lighthouse looks twice as tall as it actually it. Now it is time to follow the road away from Loch Eriboll and back towards the sea.
Notes for visitors with limited mobility:
Loch Eriboll can be enjoyed from the car.