The North West Coast of Scotland is one of the country’s undiscovered beauty spots. There are miles of countryside and coastline to explore and a surprising amount of things to see and do. With a wide range of self-catering accommodation and guest houses in the area Ullapool and Lochinver is ideal for family holidays or a weekend away somewhere special.
There are lots of exciting things to do in the Lochinver and Ullapool area. The beaches are a big reason to visit and include remote Mellon Udrigle and Guinard Bay. Another beautiful part of the coast to explore is the Coigach Peninsula and the beach at Achnahaird. Visitors to the North West Coast of Scotland can enjoy boat trips to see bird and other wildlife. Trips out to the Summer Islands are popular and make an enjoyable day out. Isle Martin is a renowned bird sanctuary and a favourite with ornithologists. Scuba diving off the coast is cold but popular with experienced divers.
The lighthouses on the North West Coast are interesting to see and stretch up to Cape Wrath. This makes a good drive along the coastline which is really scenic. Stoer Lighthouse with the Old Man is another landmark here. There are also some excellent mountain drives too and some scenic routes to enjoy.
Mountaineering is a popular activity with people visiting Lochinver and Ullapool. There are some great climbing routes including the Fisherfield forest and An Teallach. Ben Gobhlach and Suilven are also famous climbs. Walkers will find a wide range of mountain and coastal trails around the Lochinver area and further north.
Fly fishing is associated with Scotland and no more so than in the Ullapool area. The limestone lochs of Assynt are full of brown trout and there are many other places to go. This is a superb location for advanced fly fishers as well as beginners and the Highland School of Fly Fishing ( www.flyfishing-scotland.net ) is just one place to find a guide. Deer stalking is another popular activity here and the local guides are experts at finding these beautiful creatures.
After a day on the hills there is nothing better than a good meal and a few drinks. The food in the Ullapool and Lochinver area is very high quality with a lot of locally sourced ingredients. Places like the Arch Inn ( www.thearchinn.co.uk ) make the most of the local seafood and are renowned for quality. The Seaforth Bar Restaurant is another excellent place to taste local fish and also has a takeaway. The Royal Hotel and Waterfront Bar on Loch Broom in Ullapool is somewhere to dine out and enjoy a stunning view.
A holiday in Ullapool, Achiltibuie and Lochinver can be as busy or as relaxed as you make it. One thing is for sure- with so much to do, coming back for a repeat visit is a real possibility.
