Coigach - North West Highlands Geopark

Throughout the Geopark, traditional ways of living and working
are still very much a part of daily life. Crofting is fundamental to
the area’s heritage and a vital component in its future. A significant
number of crofting communities retain strong links with Gaelic
language and culture and traditional crofting practices offer many
environmental benefits – the Geopark is one of the best places
on the Scottish mainland to see the elusive corncrake. Creating
the conditions for a sustainable future has seen the introduction of
new technologies including renewable and green energy initiatives
and energy efficient housing.
Learning from the past, looking to the future
Customs, culture, language, landscape – the rich natural and
cultural heritage of the Geopark provides a strong basis for
working out sustainable solutions to issues that stretch far
beyond its boundaries. Explore the Geopark and you do much
more than simply visit – you play an active role in supporting
local communities and ensuring that the Geopark is looked
after for future generations. Local communities invite you to
discover the fascinating history and distinctive traditions of the
area through heritage sites and local venues, lively cultural events
and the work of individual writers, artists and musicians living and
working in the Geopark.
European Geoparks Network North West Highlands Geopark is
part of a global network of territories defined by their outstanding
geological features, forward-thinking local communities and unique
natural and cultural heritage. www.europeangeoparks.org
www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk
Photography courtesy of Sutherland Partnership, Iain Sarjeant, Mike Roper, Issie MacPhail,
Scottish Natural Heritage.
Map artwork © 2007 Wendy Price Cartographic Services. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance
Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
www.pelican-design.com
Sustainable futures
Coigach: Achiltibuie, Stac Polly & the Summer Isles
.
Point of
Stoer
A 836
Loch a' Mhuilinn
National Nature Reserve
Kylestrome
Kylestrome
Kerrachar Gardens
69
Loch Glencoul
.
B8
Clashnessie
Clashnessie
Quinag
Achmelvich Bay
Inverkirkaig
Canisp
Elphin
. 769
Knockan Crag
Visitor Centre
Cul Beag
Badcaul
A839
A83
Gruids
Oykel
Bridge
Bhlughasary
Rosehall
Altass
Invershin
Stac Polly Reach the 612m heights of Stac Polly by mountain
Bonar
path. Start from the car park on the banks of Loch LurgainnBridge
and arrive among weathered sandstone pinnacles and gullies.
Breathtaking views across the Minch. A circular path
around the
Ardgay
base of the cliffs offers an easier alternative route.
Dundonnell
How do communities
An Teallach
Inverpolly Forest Native woodland featuring birch, hazel and
rowan species. Ideal area for bird and wildlife watching. From the
path near Linnerainach, discover a diversity of habitats against the
backdrop of Torridonian sandstone mountains.
32
A8
surviveInverlael
.flourish in one of the
and
1082
Beinn
last great wilderness areas
Dearg
.
of northern Europe? North
1081
Braemore
West Highlands Geopark
offers a unique insight into life
in an environment where the A835
terrain is as beautiful as it is
ale
Loch
Fannich
Kinlochewe
Food for thought
Edderton
A9
Alness
Sampling good quality local food and drink is one of the
highlights of travelling. If catching your own supper with a
rod and line isn’t your thing, or you simply fancy a change,
why not browse the wide range of products available at
outlets such as the Achiltibuie Smokehouse. Here, you
can buy organic smoked salmon, smoked meat and game,
delicious marinades and Scottish cheeses. Look out for
locally grown fruit and vegetables as well as tempting jams
and pickles at farmers markets and community shops. If you
choose to stay in self-catering accommodation, ask about
local vegetable box schemes and the availability of farm
fresh eggs or locally reared meat.
Ben Wyvis of the Achiltibuie Smokehouse
of Achiltibuie and the attractions
.
h
and The Hydroponicum. Sand
1046 dunes hide an important
Evanton
i r t Invergordon
archaeological site while the coastline offers low level walks with y F
t
interesting geological features.
ar
Garve
Dingwall A
2
86
C
ro
m
163
B9
0
BLACK
16
Achnasheen
A949
B9
2
A83
Spinigdale
The Summer Isles A popular area for sea kayaking, diving and
island cruises. Take a trip to Tanera Mor, the only inhabited island
in the Summer Isles archipelago. There are no roads on the island
– but you may be lucky and see otter tracks! Visit the post office
famous for printing its own stamps since 1970.
Loch site with views
Achnahaird Sands The perfect family camping
Loch
Glass
Glascarnoch to the north, this long sandy beach lies close to the scenic village
.
1093
Sgurr
Mor
1010
The Postie Path Stretching from Ullapool to the communities
of Coigach, this is a challenging coastal walk taking in the rugged
Pittentrail
slopes of Ben More Coigach. The route was used by a very hardy
postman to deliver mail to the people of Coigach! Be aware that
the Postie Path encompasses some difficult terrain.
39
A8
Native woodlands…
Ancient settlements…
Clean sandy beaches
Mountain landscapes…
Lochan
challenging.
Fada
he
Geopark. Let the rocks around Knockan Crag tell the story of
3000 million years of history.
Lairg
Ullapool
GRUINARD
ISLAND
.
Knockan Crag
aVisitor Centre Rock art, rock trails and
o rrock
S the turf-roofed
r
room make this a great destination for
tr
B
ath
discovering
more about the geology and natural history of the
5
.
743
Ben Mor
Coigach
Postie Path
Dun Canna
Be
Loch
Shin
C
y
Culnacraig
Achlduart
Ben More Coigach & Cul Mor Shaped by glaciers and
scarred by wind and weather, these peaks dominate the landscape
around Achiltibuie.
sle
Achiltibuie
Cul Mor
37
A8
Stac Polly
Hydroponicum
Achiltibuie Smokehouse
SUMMER
ISLES
Loch
Maree
Assynt
Ledmore
Ledmore
. 849
Achlochan Broch
Fionn
Loch
Bone Caves
as
613
Little
Gruinard
. 998
Ben More
n
.
Inverpolly Forest
Badentarbat Pier
(Summer Isles Cruises)
Inchnadamph
National
Nature reserve
Garvie Bay
Achnahaird Beach
Old Dornie Harbour
Inchnadamph
Gle
Brae of
Achnahaird
Falls of Kirkaig A twisting single track road leads you through
a complicated landscape formed of ancient Lewisian Gneiss. The
20m falls are accessed by a path which also acts as an approach
for climbing the mountain Suilven. In July or August you may see
salmon leaping in the gorge below as you head to the falls.
Ardvreck Castle
38
A8
.
Falls of Kirkaig
Suilven
731
Reiff sea cliffs
(rock climbing)
ea
.847
Kilbreck
Eas a' Chual Aluinn
(waterfall)
A837
Culag Woods
Coigach Community Hall Find a wealth of information on
local heritage and community events. Home to a café and the
local library, Coigach Community Hall provides opportunities for
indoor sports and hosts exhibitions and events.
To help you get around, North West Highlands Geopark is
962
divided into four areas. Some of the must see attractions
. in and
around Achiltibuie, Stac Polly and the Summer Isles:Ben
36
A8
Loch
Assynt
Lochinver
Assynt Visitor Centre
Altnaharra
Ben Hee
Ben Leoid
37
A8
Little Assynt
Rubha Coigach
.
792
809
Clachtoll
.
757
Kinloch
Drumbeg
A836
Old Man of Stoer
721
Ben Stack
A894
ces. Reproduced by permission
O. © Crown copyright 2007.
?????????