The GALE Centre

The GALE Centre
The GALE Centre, Achtercairn, Gairloch, IV21 2BH
Stopped here on the way through the area and so glad we did. Great community hub with excellent facilities. Had tea and cake from the cafe there and a browse around the shop. It was really interesting to read about the ethos of the place and all that it's doing to support the community. More villages should have places like this! Drop in and support it if you can.
Explorers-Day-Out
Explorers-Day-OutTripAdvisor
Such a lovely little place, run by local volunteers as a social enterprise. The food is really tasty, the cakes are amazing, the coffee is fab and the staff are super friendly - and best of all, they are dog friendly! Lovely wee gift shop selling local art and crafts as well. They are running a great "pay what you can" scheme just now for those who are struggling, so leave a little more if you can to help out. Highly recommended!
CD89
CD89TripAdvisor
What a gem!! Visited 3 times during our half term holiday whilst staying 30 mins away in Mellon Charles. The cakes are amazing (although my waistline won't thank me!) - I've bought extra mint aero and chocolate slices and they've even made it home to the South of England. Can recommend the cheese and ham toasties, very welcome after a boat trip. The staff were lovely and friendly and the shop has many tempting things to buy. Highly recommend a visit and if I'm back in the area would definitely ensure I could call in for lunch and/or tea.
Skirunbird
SkirunbirdTripAdvisor
Stopped off to see how the Centre had progressed, having last visited about ten years ago. Had a delicious gingerbread latte with a piece of lemon and raspberry cake, seated at the panoramic window with spectacular views. The shop is incredibly well stocked with things for every budget. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Well worth a visit. (Parking and well cared for toilets, too.)
ChrisB
ChrisBTripAdvisor
We have been coming here on a regular basis for many years and it is good to be back and to be able to report that the place is as good as always. You are guaranteed a warm welcome, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a great selection of books and gifts. They serve delicious cakes and tea/coffee in the morning with hot lunches starting at 12.00. It is a really lovely place to eat, drink and browse and for those new to Gairloch, a source of all local information.
profjoypc
profjoypcTripAdvisor
A lovely little shop and cafe. The staff in the cafe were so friendly, their hot chocolate went down well with the kids and the cakes were scrumptious!
James
JamesTripAdvisor
Craft and gift shop, cafe, tourist information , community centre all under one roof. Lovely place for a coffee or tea with excellent cakes , and great view over the sea. Shop is full of interesting things , you could do all your Christmas shopping here! And a small but very well stocked book shop with lots of books related to the area.
Pip B
Pip BTripAdvisor
Dog friendly, welcoming and relaxing cafe. We were made to feel at home by the lovely volunteers at this fantastic social enterprise. The homemade cakes were delicious, as was the coffee. Once you've had coffee you can browse the gift shop. A great spot to enjoy a few hours.
Jo S
Jo STripadvisor
Lovely community cafe and gift shop providing a warm welcome to everyone, as well as great services for local people. We've visited on a number of occasions over the last 6 months for coffee and cake or lunches, and always enjoy the great food and lovely atmosphere. The gift shop has a good range of items, the view is fantastic, there is often a fire roaring, and no one seems to mind that our toddler is usually enjoying herself rather loudly! I just wish it was nearer home!
GlutenFreeBeccaP
GlutenFreeBeccaPTripAdvisor
Brilliant locally run and funded Cafe, Arts and crafts shop, and neighbourhood hub. Right on the NC500 route, cant miss it. Very welcoming and friendly. Good food, great value.
Steve T
Steve TTripAdvisor
So glad Gairloch has such a lovely cafe and excellent gift shop! Lovely homebaking, good cuppa and a delightful ambience with great views over the bay. We bought some things in the shop too, it was so nice.They sell Perfume Studio soap which is a big plus.Some really nice Pachamama knitwear too. Lang May this Cafe’s Lum Reek! I’d travel a wee distance for this place.
Scotlandmac
ScotlandmacTripAdvisor
Easy to park, this is a great and well run centre. There are loads of items for sale and all with a local/Scottish theme. There is inside and outside seating with lovely views out to sea. Lots of cakes and sandwiches etc to choose from and reasonably priced. Totally recommended as a stop off point.
GAB056
GAB056TripAdvisor
We called in for coffee and a cake. Following on from that we decided to go back for lunch. So glad we did, amazing food.
Jon E
Jon ETripAdvisor
Lovely relaxing place to stop off and have coffee with good home baking. Just what you want from Scottish hospitality and the staff are a credit to the area. Well done Gairloch.
ScotlandTombrown
ScotlandTombrownTripAdvisor
Stopped off while driving the coast road and very glad we did so. Excellent curried soup. Friendly helpful service and tables cleaned thoroughly in between. Some really attractive crafts and a bit different to the usual selection. Really enjoyed the stop
Chris C
Chris CTripAdvisor
Wonderful & friendly place. Shop incredible and the food very good & reasonably priced. I’m writing this after a giant slab of orange cake I’ve just hoovered up!
Alison
AlisonTripAdvisor
Fabulously welcoming. Superb cakes baked by the local community and a shop full of truly lovely gifts. Products were purchased!
Sue M
Sue MTripAdvisor
Great place to visit and maybe spend some money on locally produced goods. Would also recommend, on a good day, sitting outside with a coffee/tea and one of the locally produced cakes out the front with its fabulous views across the loch - unbeatable!
Martyn B
Martyn BTripAdvisor
Stunning views from the eating area inside and out. Fantastic welcome and service. Very clean. Shop is well stocked. Food is plentiful and reasonably priced. Parking is excellent. Busy place but well worth visiting and eating here
SUE E
SUE ETripAdvisor
Enjoyed a lively cup of tea and orange butter cream cake looking out over the sea. Love the GALE Centre as always welcoming and friendly. Generally busy with locals and visitors alike which is nice. Good selection of cakes including several vegan options. Nice toilets and nice items in the shop too.
The Professional Traveller
The Professional TravellerTripAdvisor

A Community Hub

 The GALE Centre is the hub for our Community Development Trust, Social Enterprise and Registered Charity, Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum ( GALE Action Forum.)

It houses a community cafe, shop and tourist information services. The centre is open 7 days a week.

 

Opening Hours

Mon – Sun 11:00 – 16:30

Our Aim

One of the aims of The GALE Centre is to provide a permanent outlet for local people to sell their products and baking. It also creates valuable year round local employment opportunities for both the staff and for those who supply the shop and cafe with their locally made products.

 

The GALE Centre generates vital funds for GALE with all profits made in the shop and cafe being used to fund new community projects or subsidise our existing work.

Community Shop

The shop sells unique, locally made gifts (we stock over 60 local artist’s products!) as well as maps, books, guides, greetings cards, ceramics, homeware, children’s toys, bags, clothing and artwork.

Community Cafe

The Community Cafe provides a good selection of delicious homemade cakes (we have 20 local bakers!) alongside freshly made soup, sandwiches, toasties and specials.

Tourist Information

To help you with your stay we have a great selection of local maps, guide books, local accommodation, activity and hospitality providers. Our friendly staff can assist you with bookings while you’re in our area and are always happy to recommend walks and activities to make your stay in the Gairloch and Loch Ewe area really special.

A Short History of The GALE Centre Project

The GALE Centre has been up and running since May 2012. Implementation of the Board’s vision for the centre has proceeded gradually in subsequent years, as the service offered and staff employed increased – for example, the cafe started as a tea/coffee counter only in 2013, with soups added in 2014, and finally the full range of products we now enjoy in 2021. The centre is seen as part of the evolving role and resources of GALE, as new opportunities and challenges are identified.

 

 

In the Cafe Co-ordinator case, and others, short term funding was attracted to initiate projects and kick-start employment, but in the longer term, it is income generated in the centre which pays the salaries, and thus redirects the money into the local economy.

In line with the Board’s vision of focusing on employment and services, GALE has worked in creating volunteering and employment opportunities – with an appointed Volunteer Coordinator.

 

In 2017, GALE achieved an Investing in Volunteers award, in recognition of the care and commitment with which this aspect of the work is being carried on. There is a long term aim to “enable the Gairloch and Loch Ewe area to become a more inclusive community by removing barriers to volunteering and supporting all sectors of society to participate and contribute towards the enhancement of their local community” (Trustees report for 2017).

 

For a fuller account of how we got here, read The GALE Story.

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