USAAF Liberator Crash Memorial Plaque

A brass plaque mounted on moorland near Gairloch marks where an American B-24 Liberator came down during World War II. It's not much to look at - just a small memorial in the heather - but the story behind it hits harder than you'd expect. The aircraft crashed in 1944, killing all thirteen crew members aboard. Standing here on the Highland moor, wind cutting across the open ground, you get a proper sense of how isolated and unforgiving this terrain was.

This is very much a pilgrimage site rather than a tourist attraction. You won't find visitor facilities or interpretation boards. What you will find is a quiet moment to reflect on the cost of the war, and the American servicemen who lost their lives far from home. The walk out is straightforward enough if you've got reasonable navigation skills and waterproof gear - Highland weather doesn't care about your schedule.

History buffs and anyone with an interest in WWII will find it worth seeking out. It's free to visit, though you'll need to make the effort to locate it properly. Allow an hour or so, including the walk. The memorial sits within striking distance of Sands Caravan & Camping if you're basing yourself in the area for a wider Highland holiday. Gairloch itself offers decent services and is surrounded by proper mountain and coastal scenery. This isn't a destination in itself, but absolutely worth the detour if you're spending time in the Northwest Highlands.