The Remote Mountains & Lochs of Assynt & Coigach in The Scottish Highlands - a True Scottish Wilderness
Two of my favourite parts of Scotland are Assynt in Sutherland and neighbouring Coigach in Ross & Cromarty, in the north west Scottish Highlands. Remote, rugged and wild, these beautiful areas are often neglected by visitors, which is a pity, as they are full of beautiful lochs, mountains and wildlife that will take your breath away!
The pictures below were all taken on a visit about fifteen years ago, on a very old compact camera, but I hope they might still inspire you to visit this amazing part of the north west highlands.
The small log bothy, with the turfed roof, is to be found at lovely Loch an t-Sabhail (Loch of the barn) on the Little Assynt Estate. You can reach it from the Leitir Easaidh all-abilities path, although the stretch to the bothy isn’t all abilities and a little rougher. If you walk on from Loch an t-Sabhail, you’ll come across the ruined settlement of Loch Beannach and the scattered remains of old tenant houses. There’s also an old ruined mill and it has quite a sad, eerie feel to it.
For the Leitir Easaidh all-abilities path, park in the dedicated car park on the A837. It’s at the eastern end of large Loch Assynt, close to the road. The excellent path is suitable for wheelchair users, and the fishing boats have been adapted to improve access, which is fantastic. There’s a shelter here and a compost toilet, and also a jetty for fishermen, on both Loch Leitir Easaidh and Loch na h-Innse Fraoich, which are both really lovely. I’m full of admiration, for the vision of the community, to make areas like this accessible to everyone.
The Little Assynt Estate has been community owned since 2000 and covers an area of 2,900 acres. There are lots of new and native trees managed for the community by the Culag Community Woodland Trust, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for wildiife, including deer, otters, water voles and lots of amazing birds, including Golden Eagles, and one of my favourites, Black throated divers.
The other photos are taken from Achnahaird in Coigach, which has the most wonderful views of the mountains of Assynt & Coigach - Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh, Cul Beag and Beinn An Eoin. All photos are copyright, but if you’d like a free copy, for personal use, please get in touch.
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David Wheater is a Writer, Guide, Photographer & Filmmaker living and working in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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