Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Coigach
Coigach
is the peninsula immediately north of Loch Broom, accessible via a road off the
A835. It's a beautiful drive, squeezing between the northern shore of Loch Lurgainn and
mountains like mammoths, including
Cul Beag
(2523ft), craggy
Stac Pollaidh
(2012ft) and
the awesome bulk of
Ben More Coigach
(2439ft), southeast, which presides over the area.
here's some spectacular coastal scenery too. It's a place to unwind, with gorgeous views of
the Summer Isles scattered offshore and signposted trails along coastal moors and
mountains. If the steep Ben More Coigach-Sgurr an Fhidhleir horseshoe (7 miles; 7hr)
seems too tough, the Culnacraig circuit (5 miles; 2hr) between Achduart and Culnacraig
also offers great views. Coigach's main settlement is
ACHILTIBUIE
, a crofting village spread
above beaches and rocks. Sunsets here can be astonishing.
Tanera Mor
A mile offshore,
Tanera Mor
is the largest island of the
Summer Isles
. It briefly hit the
headlines in May 2013 when its family custodians put it up for sale - a snip at £2.5
million. Presumably the new owner will continue to allow
boat
trips (Easter-Oct Mon-Sat;
2hr 15min; £25;
T
01854 622200 or
T
07927 920592,
W
summerisles-seatours.co.uk)
round the isles to put ashore on Tanera Mor for an hour, allowing visitors to potter up to
the post o
ce to buy “Summer Isles” stamps or have a cuppa in a small café by the pier.
Achiltibuie Artists' Gallery
Coigach Community Hall, Achiltibuie • Easter-Oct daily 10am-5pm •
T
01854 622409,
W
facebook.com/scotlandgallery
Whether working in jewellery, pottery, painting, prints, textiles or knits, a love of
nature inspires the work of the local artists who display and sell work at the
community-run
Achiltibuie Artists' Gallery
. hese are individual pieces, so don't expect
any bargains, but quality is excellent.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
12
COIGACH
By bus
The Scotbus service from Ullapool (Mon-Fri 2-3 daily,
Sat 1 daily; 1hr 10min) doubles as the school bus, so services
are scheduled around the start and end of the school day.
Tourist information
Useful websites include
W
coigach
.com, or
W
summer-isles.com for Tanera Mor.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Achininver SYHA
Achininver, 2 miles south of Achiltibuie
T
01854 622482,
W
syha.org.uk.
Twenty-bed hostel with
dorms and twin rooms which retains all the stone walls, wood
panelling and rustic character of the original croft. It makes a
fine base for mountain hikes - Ben Mor
Coig
ach rid
ge r
ises
directly behind. Closed Sept-April. Dorms
£17
; twins
£75
Am Fuaran
Althandhu
T
01854 622339.
A lovely wee
pub whatever the exterior suggests, as cosy as a cabin
inside and with a fine (if pricey) menu - steak-and-ale
pies, chickpea tagine, scallops in ginger and lemon
butter. Most mains are around £15-18.
Daily noon-
11pm; food served 12.30-2.30pm & 6-8pm.
Ì
Port A Bhaigh Campsite
Althandhu
T
01854
622339,
W
portabhaigh.co.uk.
Spread behind the beach,
with mesmerizing sea views and sunsets and excellent
facilities that include a laundry, this is as fine a campsite as
you'll find in the Highlands. Midges can be
ho
rrendous but
the
Am Fuaran
bar is literally over the road.
£9
/pitch
Summer Isles Bar
Achiltibuie
T
01854 622449,
W
summerisleshotel.co.uk.
This former crofters' pub is
run by the
Summer Isles Hotel
and food is correspondingly
high-end - sourdough baguettes for around £10 and
seafood sharing platters - to go with regional beer and the
occasional music.
Easter-Oct noon-11pm, Nov-Easter
eve only (times vary).
Summer Isles Hotel
Achiltibuie
T
01854 622282,
W
summerisleshotel.co.uk.
A stylish hideaway with a
superb setting, fresh modern-country decor and lovely simple
rooms, most in adjoining annexes. Its restaurant (£58 menu;
reservation essential) is no longer Michelin-starred but
seasonal modern British menus still dazzle with plat
es su
ch as
scallops or langoustine.
Easter-Oct daily 6-9pm.
£155
Lochinver and around
It's hard to think of a more beautiful route than the single-track road that wriggles north
from Coigach towards Inverkirkaig. Unremittingly spectacular, the journey is the Highlands
