Information
Dates: 4th May - 2nd September
2012
Tel: 01854 622 482
NB: the approach to Achininver is by a
rough pedestrian track, approximately 1/3 mile long. Please
take care when arriving at the hostel.
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of
our hostels.
Local Attractions
SummerIsles SeaCruises
From Badentarbert
Pier Achiltibuie 3 x daily.
Visit
Website
Isle of Tanera Mor
Visit the only inhabited Summer Isle by water
taxi & explore this beautiful archipelago.
Visit
Website
The Achiltibuie Garden
Visit the local hydroponic garden where plants
are grown without soil using nutrient solutions. Learn about this
ancient method of growing used in the Hanging Gardens of
Babylon.
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The Achiltibuie
Smokehouse
Visit the family run smokehouse which uses
traditional methods developed with over 25 years of expertise to
produce and sell smoked Highland foods including fish, meat &
cheese
Visit Website
Achiltibuie Artists
The Achiltibuie Artists all live & work on
the Coigach peninsula and have joined forces to showcase their
work. They are situated in a bespoke gallery space at Coigach
Community Hall in Achiltibuie.
Visit
Website
Studio 106
Situated beside the Summer Isles Hotel this
beautiful little gallery shows paintings, textiles, mosaics &
handmade cards by Jan Fraser & Anne Marie Firth-Bernard
Achins Book Shop & Coffee
Shop
Situated in Inverkirkaig near the famous
Kirkaig waterfalls, the bookshop is noted for its wide range of
quality books including Scottish Interest, Natural History, Hill
Walking, Children’s books and popular paperbacks. Also sells
general craft items and giftware and has a popular coffee shop.
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Knockan Crag
This is one of the top Earth science sites in Scotland.
Recognised worldwide as the place where scientists first discovered
basic principles of geology. Twenty miles north east of
Achiltibuie, off the A835 road.
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Eating Out
Summer Isles Hotel
Achiltibuie IV26 2YG
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Website
AchiltibuiePiping
SchoolCafe
Old Village Hall Achiltibuie
Open 9am – 5pm daily
Am Fuaran Bar
Althandhu Achiltibuie IV26 2YR
Take-away menu available
Walking
Easy Walks
Achininver Hostel &
Shore
This short ramble near Achilitibuie leads past
remote Achininver Hostel and down to the shore of Horse Sound, with
excellent views
Distance: 3 km/1.75 miles
Duration: 1 hour Height Gain: 72 metres/235 feet
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Website
Culnacraig Circular
This easy circuit near the end of the
Achilitibuie road offers stunning views of the mountains as well as
the Summer Isles. It takes in a footpath between the two tiny
crofting settlements of Achduart and Culnacraig
Distance: 7.75 km/4.75 miles
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours Height Gain: 110 metres/360 feet
Visit
Website
Moderate Walks
AchnahairdBayCircuit
A rough coastal circuit with fine views of the
Coigach mountains. There is a fairly continuous sheep-path for most
of the way, but the ground is boggy and crosses slippery rocks
above the cliffs in a few places so care is needed
Distance: 8.5 km/5.25 miles
Duration: 2.5 - 4 hours Height Gain: 168 metres/550 feet
Visit
Website
Fallsof Kirkaig
Inverkirkaig
A walk up a beautiful wooded glen to the
moorland above for a visit to the impressive Falls of Kirkaig
Distance: 7 km/4.25 miles
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours Height Gain: 165 metres/540 feet
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Website
Hill and Mountain Walks
Some of the finest mountains in Britain are
within easy travelling distance of Achininver. A few examples
are:
Wildlife Walk – Ben Mor
Coigach
An arduous yet stunning route along the coast
from Ullapool to Achininver – a hidden delight for experienced hill
walkers
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Duration: Up to 8 hours Height Gain: 650 metres/2145 feet
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Stac Pollaidh Ridge &
Circuit
This circuit heads around spectacular Stac
Pollaidh (often anglicised to Stac Polly) with an optional ascent
up to the ridge. The whole walk has great views over Assynt to the
north and the Summer Isles and Achiltibuie to the south and west.
Reaching the true summit of Stac Pollaidh involves a tricky
scramble
Distance: 4.5 km/2.75 miles
Duration: 2 - 4 hours Height Gain: 510 metres/1675 feet
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Website
Ben More Coigach
Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir make a
fantastic short but steep day. Ben More Coigach rises like a great
sea-wall and the airy and dramatic Garbh Choireachan ridge has
sweeping views in all directions. This horseshoe route then ascends
the pointed peak of the Fiddler, Sgurr an Fhidhleir. Prominent as a
massive triangle of rock from Stac Pollaidh, its north face falls
away vertically beneath the summit
Distance: 10.5 km/6.5 miles
Duration: 5 - 7 hours Height Gain: 870 metres/2855 feet
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Website
Plus lots more to explore!
Disclaimer: All
walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can
hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like
to acknowledge the British
Mountaineering Council Participation Statement:
"The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are
activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants
in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and
be responsible for their own actions".
Wildlife
Golden eagle, raven, buzzard, dipper, wildcat, pine martin, otter,
red grouse, geese, Great Northern diver, grey seal, red deer.
Raven, red grouse, ptarmigan, twite, redpoll, grey seal, red deer,
geese, great northern diver, seals, porpoise, dolphins, whales.
Ben Mor Coigach (SWT Reserve)
This is the largest of the SWT reserves and is
dominated by mountains, moorland and peatbog. It is a wild place
with spectacular views of the coastline and surrounding landscape.
The landscape is typical of the area and is still under croft use.
Located north of Ullapool, access is from the road to
Achiltibuie.
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Website
SummerIsles
SeaCruises
From Badentarbert Pier Achiltibuie 3 x
daily.
Visit
Website
Further afield:
HandaWildlife Island
(SWT)
This spectacular island just off the Sutherland
coast has one of the largest seabird colonies in north-west Europe.
The place comes alive each summer as some 200,000 seabirds gather
here to breed. You’ll see guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and
small numbers of puffins on the cliffs. Arctic and great skuas nest
on the moor, some very close to the trail. From the clifftop look
out to sea, where dolphins, porpoises and minke whales are often
seen.
Visit
Website
Seascape Expeditions
2
hour RIB ride around the Summer Isles from Ullapool.
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Website
Active & Adventure
Fishing
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Ullapool Golf Club
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Website
Cycling
The Far North West -
Achiltiebuie
Beautiful beaches and wonderful
views.
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The Far North West - around
Assynt
Extremely hilly!
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The Far North West- Inverpolly Nature
Reserve
Interesting mountains and wild scenery,
narrow roads with passing places.
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NorwestSeaKayaking
Escape into the wilderness. Explore the
unknown ½ day/day trips & hire exploring the coastline from
Ullapool to the Summer Isles, from Lochinver to the far North.