Glenelg is the main settlement in a remote sparsely populated peninsula lying to the South of Loch Alsh and Loch Duich in South West Ross. To the North lie Kintail and the district of Lochalsh, to the West across the sound of Sleat is the Isle of Skye and to the South, separated by Loch Hourn, is the Knoydart peninsula. It extends to an area of approximately 90 square miles and has a scattered population of around 280 permanent residents, many of these in the immediate area around Glenelg, but also in the communities of Arnisdale and Corran. During the summer tourist season the population increases three-fold by visitors staying in the area.

Even by today’s standards of improved communications, the area is classed as extremely remote, its only road link with the outside world be a single track road joining it to the main trunk route, the A87, at Shiel Bridge. The road climbs to a height of 1100 feet over Mam Ratagan via a series of hairpin bends before dropping down to sea level as it reaches Glenelg (10 miles from the main road) and terminates at Corran, a further 9 miles. The only other vehicular access to the area is via a small ferry, which makes the crossing from Glenelg to Kylerhea in Skye during daylight hours in the summer months. The nearest large settlement is Kyle of Lochalsh, 26 miles from Glenelg, which has banks, shops and a swimming pool.

Local amenities are limited. Glenelg village houses a primary school, a small shop/post office and one hotel. There are two seasonal cafes, one of which houses a small manufacturing business.

Access to services

The area’s sparsity (2 people per square km compared to 8 in Highland and 66 in Scotland) means that the population are generally deprived in terms of access to services:

• 31.5% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a primary school (77.6% in the Highland)
• 5.0% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a cash point (66.9% in the Highland)
• 5.6% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a GP surgery (63.1% in the Highland)
• 43.9% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a post office (82.3% in the Highland)
• 15.9% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a library (50.9% in the Highland)
• 18.8% of the population lives within a 0-5 minute drive of a community internet facility (39.2% in the Highland)
• 71.6% of the population lives within a 0-30 minute drive of a police station (95.1% in the Highland)
• 0% of the population lives within 0-30 minute drive of a job centre  plus (73.0% in the Highland)
• 0% of the population lives within 0-30 minute drive of a citizens advice bureau (67.3% in Highland)

All Glenelg and Arnisdale documents and projects are listed below:

Glenelg and Arnisdale projects
Glenelg and Arnisdale documents

Duncan Cameron and Daisy Reeves are the Local Development Officers for Glenelg and Arnisdale. 

Address:
Glenelg & Arnisdale Community Hall
Glenelg
By Kyle
IV40 8JD

Telephone: 01599-522 219 (Duncan Cameron)
Mobile: 07766442298 (Duncan Cameron)
E-Mail: duncan.cameron2@highland.gov.uk