In the 1991 census the Torridon/ Shieldaig area had a total of 345 residents of whom 106 were economically active males and 55 economically active females. There is a larger percentage of elderly people living in the district than the Scottish average. Home ownership is higher than average reflecting the traditional nature of the settlements, which are mainly crofting townships and small villages. The area is fairly well provided with services although some, like rural post offices, are threatened with closure. Distance from main settlements and poor transport links are a problem and access to a vehicle is highly important.
The area is serviced by two community councils - Applecross & Sheildaig and Torridon & Kinlochewe.
There are two primary schools in the area and a high school in Gairloch. Almost a third of school leavers go on to some form of higher education with a further 19% attending further education. These figures are higher than the Scottish average, as is the case for those commencing employment straight from school, which accounts for over a quarter of school leavers in the Highlands.
The loch is representative of north-west and island-type glaciated sealochs in general with a wide variety of sea and shore types from the very exposed islets at the mouth of the outer loch to the sheltered muddy expanses at the head of the loch. The main loch area is fairly self contained and geographically well defined. The loch is situated in the midst of rugged sandstone mountains which rise to over 900m within 4km of the shore. The loch is composed of three sections, all of which are steep-sided with rock or boulder slopes going down to a bottom of sand or mud. The centre parts of the loch are up to 100m deep and the sill at the narrows has a depth of 20m with strong tidal currents. On the south side of the inner loch there are a number of shallow bays and lagoons. There are a wide range of typical marine and seashore plant and animal communities present, some of which are at the limits of their known range; specific details are provided in Appendix II.
The Loch Torridon area is nationally important for both scenic and heritage reasons. The full range of designations and sites of interest can be found in Appendix IV and is indicated on Map 2. The loch complex lies partly within a wider Wester Ross National Scenic Area and Loch Shieldaig and Upper Loch Torridon is a Marine Consultation Area due to its high nature conservation value.
Primary production from fishing and aquaculture and jobs associated with tourism are the most significant economic activities in the study area, however the percentage of people working in the area, and the range of employment options available are less than the Highland and Scottish average.
The 1991 census indicated that as many as 35% of the workforce in Shieldaig were self-employed. (Rural Forum 1995). This report goes further to say `Although unemployment in its self is not ostensibly a significant feature within Shieldaig, there are few local outlets for relatively well paid employment. Current employment would also appear to be fairly dependant on fishing and fish farming, with few obvious land-based opportunities'. The findings of the Loch Torridon study support Rural Forum's observation
The proportion of the population that is economically active is lower than for the rest of Scotland reflecting the relatively aged population and the limited range of employment opportunities. There is a relatively high percentage (14%) of self-employment in sectors such as fishing and tourism giving the area as a whole a higher proportion of self-employment than is the average for both the Highlands and Scotland (9%).
In winter the unemployment rate in wider Wester Ross is higher than the Scottish average and normally above the Highland rate. The area has a high percentage of long-term unemployment and youth unemployment is higher than the Highland average. Unemployment is highly seasonal, reflecting the significance of tourism to the area.
Tourism is an important source of income for the area. Second homes are common and many are let out as self catering units. The pattern of tourism visits is perceived to have changed with an increase in passing trade. The recent increase in the number of self catering facilities tends to attract people for longer visits, although employment is less than it would be if the visitors used serviced accommodation.
Traditional agriculture is in decline in most of the Highlands and Wester Ross is no exception with a reduction in employment and sheep and cattle numbers. Forestry is on the increase, but Torridon has little native woodland cover and offers little opportunity for larger scale forestry due to unsuitable ground conditions and statutory restrictions. The area is classified as `Less Favoured' and at present qualifies for the highest levels of state aid through initiatives such as the Highlands and Islands Objective One Programme.
