B8021
B8021 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Gairloch (NG803768) | |||
To: | Melvaig (NG742864) | |||
Distance: | 9.5 miles (15.3 km) | |||
Meets: | A832, unclassified | |||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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The B8021 runs along the west coast near Gairloch in Wester Ross. The road was originally unclassified but had gained its number by 1932. However, the fact its number is lower than the nearby B8056 and B8057, which also existed in 1932, proves that it was classified earlier.
The road starts on the A832 near the heritage centre and schools in Gairloch village. It initially heads west, dropping down to the shore and curving round the back of Strath Bay to become the old village main street. Here it passes a range of shops and businesses catering for the tourists who descend on the area in the summer months. After climbing away from the shore, it continues to skirt around Strath Bay, passing a small harbour area, and then keeps to the shore side of most of the development, which rises up the hillside above. After a little over a mile, the last houses are passed, and the 40 limit comes to an end. However, the B8021 remains an S2 road for the next mile or so, winding along the low cliff top past the Youth Hostel and then turning north.
The road turns inland at Little Sand and a little further on at Little Sand Farm Caravan Park it becomes single-track, remaining so until the end. After crossing the River Sand, the scattered settlement of Big Sand lies down a left turn, while the B8021 climbs further inland, turning westwards once more through a narrow glen. After passing through North Erradale, most of which lies between the road and the shore, the road climbs over a hill, reaching a summit of nearly 100m, with good views, before dropping back to the clifftop, some 60m (180') up, at Peterburn. Keeping close to the clifftop, the road winds northwards to Melvaig, beyond which it comes to an end at a small turning area. However, a surfaced road continues north, running along above the cliffs for about 3 miles to the lighthouse, now an outdoor centre, at Rubha Reidh.
B8021 | ||
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