fishing, climbing, walking, swimMing, sightseeing
Things to Do, Visit and see when you visit Ómarach
Photography/Art
If you have an interest in Photography or Art then Achmelvich and the surrounding area is made for you, it’s a place that you will find inspirational, with endless possibilities’ the scenery is just amazing, with the wild Atlantic Ocean, the incredible natural light and colours, it will make your heart sing.
North Coast 500
If you like to drive and explore, Ómarach is on the the NC500, Scotland's biggest road trip measuring over 500 miles. The route begins in Inverness and following along the stunning coastal edges of the North Highlands. Bringing together the best of the Highlands from beautiful beaches, haunting castles, monumental munros and hundreds more scenic stop-offs
Stargazing
With very little light pollution, when the skys are clear Westhaven is super for Stargazing and if you are luck at the right time of year you might see the Aurora/Northern Lights or another amazing phenomena - Noctilucent Clouds. Noctilucent clouds, or “Night Shining Clouds” are tenuous cloud-like phenomena that are the ragged edge of a much brighter and pervasive polar cloud layer called polar mesospheric clouds in the upper atmosphere, visible in a deep twilight. They are made of crystals of water ice. Noctilucent roughly means night shining in Latin.
Geology
For the Geologists amongst you, the geology underlying this landscape is what makes it unique. Assynt sits on a bedrock known as Lewisian gneiss which at almost 3,000 million years old, is amongst the oldest rock on Earth. About 900 million years ago a range of mountains running about where the Western Isles lie today, was eroded and thousands of meters of the resulting sandstone sediment was deposited onto these rocks. Millions of years of glacial and other erosion have left the remnants of the original sandstone deposited onto the Lewisian gneiss as widely separated individual peaks. The result is some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. http://www.nwhgeopark.com
Hillwalking
For Hillwalkers A series of characterful peaks rear up from a rolling landscape of heather moorland, birch forest and windswept lochs. The mountains include the whale-back Suilven, the twin hills Cul Mor and Cul Beag and Stac Pollaidh, a miniature mountain masterpiece of rock spires and turrets, one of the best mountain panoramas in all of Scotland.
Game Fishing
Assynt is a truly world-class fishing destination, with some of the finest native Wild Brown Trout fishing in Europe, if not the world. To the Game fisher the mention of Assynt in any conversation instantly translates into 'fisherman's paradise', conjuring up a mental picture of truly majestic scenery, dozens of sparkling hill lochs, dancing streams and rivers, all teeming with wild, golden, speckled brown trout there are literally hundreds of idyllic, unspoiled hill lochs where you can feel like the first person to ever wet a line as well as a surprising amount of wonderful roadside and easily accessible water to explore. Some of these waters also have migratory Sea Trout and Salmon passing through them.
Sea Fishing
Achmelvich bay is great for shore fishing from the rocks, with other great spots close by Stoer Lighthouse, Clachtoll and Lochinver Pier to name just a few, there is also boat fishing out of Lochinver, use spinners/feathers for Cod, Coalies, Pollack and Mackerel, and bait for the larger species including Conger and Halibut, just make sure your using heavy tackle, some record Halibut have been taken in this area www.assyntanglinginfo.org.uk
Kayaking & Boats
If you have your own Boat or Kayak, the Assynt coastline provides a superb playground for exploring, Achmelvich beach is amongst the cleanest in Britain and the water is crystal clear all year round. There is no slip way at Achmelvich but if you have a 4x4 vehicle or a smaller boat you can launch from the beach or by using one of the slipways at Lochinver or Kylesku that are available for visitors to launch boats from, there are pontoons at Lochinver if you want to keep your boat afloat, Kayaks can launch from Achmelvich and many other places.
Be aware that the sea water can be a degree or two colder than anticipated even during the summer months. Wet-suits are recommended for any activities involving prolonged immersion!
Boat/Fishing Trips
Cam-Mac Boat Trips Lochinver 07498 973094 or 07498 973094 If you would like to take in the breath-taking scenery from sea, with views of all the mountains take a 90min Costal Cruise on the 31ft "Ros Kynoch" Trips to the North take you to Split Rock at Clachtoll - you can see it from a different angle. It will also take you to the Hermits Castle and Achmelvich bay, trips to the South will take you to the Island of Soyea, you will have an excellent chance of seeing some of the local wildlife, with Seals, Porpoise, Dolphins and Minky Whales being common in the area https://www.cam-mac-boat-trips.co.uk/
Archaeology
Clachtoll broch, located a short walk from the beach car park at Clachtoll it is one of northern Scotland’s most iconic archaeological monuments. Surviving in places to first floor level- over 3m above the bedrock- the remains of this spectacular drystone tower are thought to be around 2000 years old. http://clachtoll.aocarchaeology.com
Snorkelling and Diving
This area is renowned for its crystal clear turquoise waters, and an abundance of marine life and an excellent area for diving and snorkelling, Achmelvich is on the snorkelling trail being classed suitable for beginners in good conditions, Clachtoll close by is another highly recommended bay for anyone wanting to explore the waters.
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/snorkel-trails/
Places to Visit
Flossies Beach Store Clachtoll
Flossies, a little shop but the very centre of Clachtoll, loved by visitors and local alike, Flossies serve hot and cold snacks and drinks to take away or sit outside and enjoy at their picnic tables. With freshly ground coffee, homemade soups and baking Flossies is a must. Flossies also stock a wide range of basic groceries and essentials and off license sales, including wine and beer, so treat yourself.
Scotland’s highest waterfall
Eas a’ Chual Aluinn. This can be visited on a boat trip aboard Rachael Clare at Kylesku.
Assynt Aromas
Candle Shop & The Secret Tearoom Drumbeg open from April- Oct http://www.assyntaromas.co.uk
Stoer Lighthouse
The Stoer Head Lighthouse stands on a rocky promontory surrounded on two sides by cliffs near the westernmost point of the Stoer Peninsula. Some twelve miles by single track road North of Lochinver this is a remote spot. The lighthouse was built in 1870.
The Old Man of Stoer
A great walk for spotting whales and dolphins, the Old Man of Stoer is a pinnacle of rock or sea-stack, The walk starts from the Stoer Lighthouse, it is fairly level, but walking boots are recommended, it gives some splendid views of the rugged coastal scenery.
The Old Man of Stoer is popular with climbers due to it's height and approachability. The stack is composed of Torridonian sandstone and is 60 meters (200 ft) high. It has become something of a legend among climbers and its not unusual to find a team climbing there.
Bone Caves
A very beautiful and popular walk in a limestone glen to the dramatic bone caves at Inchnadamph . The Bone Caves opening is part way up a steep side of the glen, where the remains have been found of species such as lynx, reindeer and even Scotland’s only evidence off polar bears, animals we have forgotten once roamed here. http://www.discoverassynt.co.uk/viewdetails.php?id=54
Knockan Crag
An unmanned visitor centre open throughout the year with information and interactive displays on the landscape and geology of the area. Two circular trails for different abilities, car park and toilets. Situated on the A835 near Elphin
Handa Island
Handa Island is internationally famous for its sea-bird colonies, including the largest breeding colony of Guillemots in Britain and there are estimated to be around 120,000 pairs of breeding on Handa! There is also Puffin, Fulmar, Shag, Razorbill, Skuas (both arctic and great), Kittiwake, Gulls and Terns.
Achins Book Shop and Coffee Shop
Achins stocks a range of quality books of Scottish interest, natural history, hillwalking, crafts, children’s and has an extensive range of Scottish music, woollens, knitwear, pottery and cards.
The coffee shop serves light lunches and snacks, homemade soups and baking and has always has an exhibition of artwork by local artists on too. The shop and cafe are at Inverkirkaig by Lochinver.
Highland Stoneware
As you drive in to Lochinver turn right over the old bridge and follow the signs to Highland Stoneware, view watch the potters at work http://www.highlandstoneware.com
Assynt Ceramics Workshop and Gallery,
Located in the Old Stables at Glencanisp, the Gallery features the distinctive hand thrown tableware and decorative ceramics made by Fergus Stewart from stoneware and porcelain clays. His work is wood fired using local timber and is salt glazed, giving a robust surface suitable for dishwasher and oven. The choice of colours is influenced by the vibrant greens, blues and natural tones within the Sutherland landscape and the rich and variegated surfaces decorated by the passage of the flame through the kiln. The Gallery is open 2pm-6pm, Sunday- Friday from April through until October.
Eating Out
Peet’s Restaurant
Situated at the harbour in Lochinver https://peetsrestaurant.com
The Caberfeidh Bar & Restaurant
Situated on the main street on the right as you drive in to Lochinver https://www.thecaberfeidh.co.uk
Chez Roux Restaurant
The Inver Lodge http://inverlodge.com/dining/
Kylesku Hotel: http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk
