Day4NC500
Day 4: SUTHERLAND Europe’s “last great wilderness”. Experience sea and the most incredible landscapes. Sutherland makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, and will leave a lasting
memory too. From the dramatic north western scenery, where the mountains meet the sea, to the
varied lands of the east – with scattered fishing communities, award winning golf courses, fairy tale castles, archaeological wonders and quaint harbours. Unspoilt, naturally stunning landscapes and
seascapes with stretches of sand to rival those abroad. North West Sutherland covers a large portion of unspoilt, natural landscapes. The mountain ranges are quite spectacular; bringingtogether the peculiar ‘Policeman’s Helmet’ shaped Suilven and the mountainous tops of Ben More, Foinaven and Arkle.The North-west side is also home to Cape Wrath, the North West Highlands Geopark.
First stop was Reiff, a small remote coastal crofting and fishing village, situated on Reiff Bay on the
Ruhba Mòr peninsula, in western Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. From Reiff Bay moved towards
Lochinver a village on the coast in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. A few miles
northeast is Loch Assynt which is the source of the River Inver which flows into Loch Inver at the village. There are 200 or so lochans in the area, which makes the place very popular with anglers.
Next stop was Stoer Lighthouse which is one of 200 located around Scotland wild coastline and maintained by the Northern Lighthouse Board.Road to the lighthouse was amazing and full of
breath taking scenery.
Road to Drumbeg was small and winding but beautiful. Drumbeg Viewpoint lies on the north facing
coast of Assynt, looking out across Eddrachillis Bay to Handa Island and mainland Sutherland.
Kylestrome is a village on the north shore of Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin, two miles north west of Unapool,
in Sutherland passing through it reached Scourie, historically spelled "Scoury", is a village on the
north west coast of Scotland, about halfway between Ullapool and Durness.Set within the shelter of Scourie bay is the long sandy beach of Scourie. The near white sand here
is divided by rocky inlets and the sea is a clear blue.
My next destination was Kinlochbervie the most northerly port on the west coast of Scotland, and
virtually the last place you come to before falling into the sea. It is one of a major fishing ports in
Scotland.Surrounded by thousands of acres of unspoiled highland countryside, wonderful beaches,
and fascinating wildlife; even the weather is just a little bit different to the rest of Scotland. Ten
minutes drive to Shegra,Lairg through a small road to reach the campsite to have a view of the sea
was breathtaking.
Shegra to Durness beach the distance was around 30 miles however the route was beautiful and
no traffic at all. Durness is a thriving village surrounded by the dramatic landscape of
Sutherland.This most north westerly village in the British mainland boasts spectacular scenery with
a rocky coastline, pristine beaches with turquoise waters, a wide array of wildlife.
My last stop for day 4 was Tongue, a coastal village in northwest Highland, Scotland, in the western
part of the former county of Sutherland. It lies on the east shore above the base of the Kyle of
Tongue and north of the mountains Ben Hope and Ben Loyal.
Distance: 163 Miles
A trip to Sandwood Bay, Sutherland
One of our clients, Catriona, was taken ill during her trip to the North West Highlands. It had been her dream to visit a remote beach, Sandwood Bay as part of that holiday. We decided to give her a surprise to make up for her ruined holiday. It was such an honour to learn what these wild places mean to her and be a part of her journey there.