The UK’s rainiest location is also a stunning holiday destination with plenty to offer visitors.
In the midst of what could be one of the wettest and most disappointing summers in recent memory, the thought of heading to a region known for its drizzle might not seem appealing.
However, Mirror Travel Editor Milo Boyd believes that the UK’s rain capital should not be avoided at any time of the year.
He first visited Glenshiel Forest in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland was when he was just four years old, during a family holiday to the nearby village of Glenelg. Anyone who has visited the west coast of Scotland knows that the weather can change rapidly.
He said: “One moment you’re enjoying the dazzling sunlight against a clear blue sky, the next you’re reaching for your coat as the heavens open.”
In Glenshiel Forest, this phenomenon is taken to another level. Rain hammers down on the leaves of the trees lining the nine-mile glen at an astonishing rate, only to suddenly stop as the clouds part above the surrounding mountains, before resuming their onslaught.
Such is the intensity and frequency of these showers, the Met Office has named Glenshiel Forest as the wettest place in the UK below 200m, with 3,778mm of rainfall recorded there in a single year. This is in stark contrast to the approximately 500ml that falls on London each year, making Glenshiel Forest around seven times wetter.
Don’t let this deter you from pulling on your wellies, slipping into some galoshes and venturing into the Scottish wilderness.
The region has been largely untouched by human activity, giving it a wonderfully remote and pristine feel. Red deer roam freely among native trees such as common alder, downy birch, sessile oak and rowan.
History buffs will be captivated by the area’s rich past. “There’s a powerful sense of history in Glen Shiel, with steep mountains rushing upwards from an historic battlefield where British government forces and an alliance of Jacobite and Spanish troops fought in 1719,” notes the Woodland Trust.
“You can also access a mountain path to the Five Sisters of Kintail ‘ a classic ridgewalk with three Munros (mountains over 3000 feet / 914 metres).”
For 15 years, Milo spent his Easter holidays in the nearby village of Glenelg, which is most easily reached by crossing the stunning 339m high Ratagan Pass – the only route into the sea-loch side settlement for several months of the year when the iconic Glenelg-Skye turntable ferry is not in operation.
The breathtaking view from the summit of Ratagan, overlooking the rain-soaked woodland of Glenshiel on one side and Glenelg on the other, is an unforgettable sight. The thrill of navigating the dangerously narrow, winding roads to reach the top, only to be greeted by the sight of white cottages dotting the shoreline of a loch with strikingly blue water, set against the backdrop of the Skye mountains, is unparalleled.
Yet, there’s something that might just surpass this – the reason Milo’s family kept returning to this remote corner of the UK year after year – the view from the garden of the Glenelg Inn.
“If you ever find yourself in the vicinity, enjoy a pint of local brew at the Inn’s picnic tables and marvel at the world beyond – until the inevitable rain begins to fall,” he said.
For those who prefer to stay indoors rather than venture out into the damp outdoors, Hotels.com offers a range of properties perfect for cosy indoor stays. This comes as the Met Office warns that 2024 could see the wettest summer in a century.
One particularly inviting option is the Crieff Hydro in Perthshire.
“While Crieff Hydro is brimming with outdoor activities such as alpaca trekking, disc golf and horse riding, it also offers a plethora of indoor pursuits. Guests can start their day in the games zone, which boasts everything from pinball to Pac-Man, or try out the family fun zone featuring a golf simulator, jukebox machine and pool,” the website entices.
“After a day of gaming, guests can unwind in the cinema room, complete with comfy seats, popcorn and movies playing all day. The day can be rounded off with a relaxing swim and soak in the indoor pool and hot tub.”
Crieff Hydro can be booked on Hotels.com from £168 per night.