Applecross

Applecross is a fanciful designation assumed by one of the proprietors, perpetuated by his successors and eventually generally accepted. The original name was Apor Crossan which means the mouth of the River Crossan and is of Norse origin.

Applecross was one of the earliest Christian communities founded in 724 A.D. by Maelruhba, an Irish monk and disciple of Columba. It reverted to Paganism for a time after the Christian settlement was pillaged by invading Vikings but Christianity with allegiance to Rome was eventually re-established. After the Reformation and the formation of the Church of Scotland, there followed a series of divisions in the church but generally, until recently, local inhabitants were very devout and rigidly observed the Sabbath and other religious conventions. Now, however, a much more relaxed atmosphere has developed.

The Gaelic A' Chomraich' means sanctuary. At one time, the greater part of the peninsula was a sanctuary - its most famous outlaw was Hare (of Burke and Hare fame) who settled in the village of Camustiel and worked as a weaver. The ruin of his house can still be seen.

Until fairly recently, the sporting estate was the major provider of employment but now there are only three permanent employees. Crofting was a major activity, together with fishing (white fish and herrings.) Crofting is no longer practised seriously and fishing has changed in nature. These days, five creel boats and one trawler fish out of Applecross - all for prawns which not so long ago were regarded locally as worthless.

Tourism is now an important industry with holiday homes for rent, bed and breakfast accommodation and one hotel (famous for high quality food - specialises in local seafood.)

A Little History of Applecross

Long after most of the towns and villages on the west coast had adapted from access by sea to the twin benefits of sound roads and accessible railways Apppplecross still depended on the MacBrayne Stornoway mailboat to Kyle and Mallaig as the carrier of pasengers and goods.The vessel would lay off the pier at Milton and was attended by a large rowing boat. The whole operation was somewhat precarious in bad conditions!

An advantage of the service was that in the summer a passenger could catch the boat coming from Stornoway at 3.00am and arrive in Glasgow via Mallaig and the West Highland Railway at 2.00pm. The disadvantage was that, whatever the year, bad weather conditions could mean that the ferry boat couldn't make contact so passengers for Applecross got a 'free' trip across the Minch to Stornoway and back again.

In the mid fifties Applecross got its own boat between Toscaig and Kyle of Lochalsh but it wasn't for another twenty years until the road round the north of the coast to Shieldaig was finally opened. The Bealach na Bo (the Pass of the Cattle) had been opened in 1822 one of the 'Parliamentary roads' and is still featured in the Guiness Book of Records as one of the steepest ascents, rising from sea level to over 2000 feet in less than five miles. The trip over the Bealach and the stunning views across to the Hebrides from the top on a fine day are one of the highlights to any visit to Applecross.

An Applecross Sunset	Morning Mist at Applecross	Sunset over Raasay	Sand, Applecross