Durness to Achmelvich

Durness to Achmelvich 7th July

After a night at the Durness Smoo Youth Hostel another good hostel to stay at we had a quick look at the town of Durness just a small distance west then headed south down the west coast. There is a trip up to Cape Wrath (the north west tip of Scotland) by ferry and mini bus but we weren't organised enough to get tickets (may be next time).

The area is the start of the North West Highland Geopark a UNESCO site and trail the first site being Stories In Sand Stone at the Kyle of Durness a Loch or Inlet. More info on the Geopark here

As we drove south we pasted through some very scenic countryside, lakes, rivers, mountains and coastal areas - photos below.

We got to the reasonably impressive Kylesku Bridge and Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin where there was a monument to the men who served on the mini submarines during WW2 as the lived and trained in the area. Info here.

Matt was staying at a seperate hostel due to accommodation being hard to find so we went to drop him off and we drove past the Ardvreck Castle next to Loch Assynt. On the hillside by his hostel we saw our first red deer in Scotland. We then went and booked into our hostel at Achmelvich Beach.

The beach at Achmelvich where we stayed for two nights was a busy holiday spot for locals though the water was freezing cold a few brave souls were swimming, a few paddle boarders and kayaking.  About a 20 minute drive to where Matt was staying as again hard to get a 3 person lodging in this area. 

Lots of red deer on the hill around Matt's hostel and on the drive around the area. The surroundings were rocky and grassy hills with areas fenced off to allow regrowing of forests that appear to get a hammering from the deer.  Many Lochs of varying sizes through this area and lovely crofts.

A croft is a small agricultural unit. The person who lives on the croft is called a crofter. A croft is the land, not the house the crofter lives in. Crofts are usually rented. They are often part of large estates where the landowner is the crofter's landlord.  

In the afternoon Matt and Jim did a drive in a loop back through Drumbeg and finally saw some dolphins. 

Stories In Sand Stone at the Kyle of Durness - the interpretation site for the 
North West Highland Geopark

Peat drying for fuel during the winter.

                                                                         

Highland countryside as we travelled south.

Lots of small crofts and settlements along the way

The road would meet the coast from time to time and there were also many coastal settlements

Also beaches Matt decided to take a stroll.

Maree and Matt liked the pond with the lily pads

The impressive Kylesku Bridge

Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin

These oystercatchers were making a fuss below the bridge a dating dance.

Ardvreck Castle next to Loch Assynt

Calda House also next to Loch Assynt

Three photos from Matt and Jims afternoon drive back around the coast.

At last some Scottish deer

A photo of Achmelvich town.

Achmelvich Beach at 10pm at night.

Maree watching the sunset after 10 pm

Another photo of the twilight from the hostel about 11 pm