DESCRIPTION

The remote Applecross peninsula with its sweeping views west towards the Outer Hebrides and south to the mountains of Kintail offers some of the most stunning scenery in the Highlands. Despite the general remoteness of this area, the road through the spectacular Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) makes the main take off point, high on Meall Gorm (710m), extremely accessible for paraglider pilots. The fact that the area offers several different flying options and is also outside the Highland Restricted Area just adds to this attraction, making Applecross a popular choice for pilots based in the north of Scotland. The Meall Gorm launch takes a south through to south westerly breeze. Due to it’s aspect and proximity to the sea in the summer months it is common to experience a sea breeze here and this can mean that the site is flyable even when the wind direction is off elsewhere in the area.

ACTIVITIES

- paragliding
- hike
- soaring
- thermals
- xc

weather

This area is strongly influenced by the sea breeze. There is also potential for severe rotor within the confines of the pass in anything other than light conditions.

access

The Applecross peninsula is served by a tortuous single track road which loops off the A896 that runs between Sheildaig to the north and Lochcarron to the south. Fortunately several flying sites are centred around the Bealach na Ba and so are easily accessed by turning off the A896 at Tornapress and following the minor road for a few kilometres to the Pass itself. There is a large carpark at the summit of the Pass, as well as a smaller space with room for a few cars nearer to the head of the pass. Please do not park in the passing places.

regulation

The boundary of the Highland Restricted Area (HRA) just misses out the bulk of the Applecross peninsula. This means that technically, although XC potential is severely curtailed, unlike many of the highland sites midweek flying is an option when the HRA is active. It is however still very important to note that this whole area is often busy with military traffic entering and exiting the HRA and paraglider pilots are strongly recommended to use the military NOTAM service prior to flying here.