Activities

Walking, climbing and cycling...

The North West Highlands provide stunning opportunities for walking, climbing and cycling. Dramatic mountain ranges deliver spectacular views over moorland and lochs. There are numerous coastal walks with breath-taking views out to the Summer Isles and Outer Hebrides. Beautiful, unspoilt, sandy beaches with rock pools and secret coves are in abundance. An area rich in biodiversity, steeped in history and a geologist's dream. There is something for experienced hikers, cyclists and kayakers of all abilities.

These sites might help you plan your adventures...

Kayaking...

The beach just in front of Tigh Na Mara is an ideal point of departure for kayaking adventures along the coast and through the Summer Isles. A favourite expedition of ours is to Ristol beach, sometimes known by locals as The Queen's Beach, as the Royal Yacht Britannia stopped there is recent years with The Queen on board. Ristol is a beautiful, uninhabited, secluded island and is a Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve to the west of Reiff. It takes less than an hour to paddleboard or kayak out there. To hire kayaks or to experience sea kayaking around Achiltibuie and beyond contact Summer Isles Sea Kayaking.

Tel: 01571 844 281 / 07900 641 860
Email: info@norwestseakayaking.com
Web: www.summerislesseakayaking.com

Boat trips...

Contact Summer Isles Sea Tours for boat trips cruising on board the 'Isabella' around the beautiful Summer Isles, seeing many species of sea birds and seal colonies among the rugged rock formations and caves. Departing Monday to Saturday from Batentarbet Pier from May to September. Booking is essential.

Tel: 01854 622 315 / 07927 920 592
Email: ian.macleod@tiscali.co.uk
Web: www.summerisles-seatours.co.uk

Fishing...

Tigh Na Mara and the surrounding area offers fantastic fishing opportunities both for sea angling and fly fishing on lochs and rivers. We are keen fly fishers and will happily talk through the local options.

We also recommend engaging a guide - in particular James Curley who can take you to some fantastic and little known spots.
Tel: 07815 637 369
Web: www.jamescurley.org

Fishing is by permit only. You can fish and obtain permits here:

Achiltibuie Trout Fishing.
The Am Fuaran Bar in Altandu offers boat fishing for salmon, sea trout and brown trout on Loch Oschaig. Tel: 01854 622 339.
Coigach Craft Shop sell permits for brown trout fishing on a number of the local lochs, including Loch Raa, Loch Vatachan, Loch na Creige Duibhe, Loch na Beiste, Loch Camas an Fheidh and Loch Totaig. Coigach Craft Shop Tel: 01854 622 346.
The Coigach Hill Lochs lie behind Achiltibuie. Those prepared to hike up the hill are likely to be rewarded with a basket of small brown trout. Enquire at the Summer Isles Hotel, Achiltibuie. Tel: 01854 622 282. Boats may also be booked at the hotel for sea trout fishing on Loch Osgaig.
Salmon Fishing, Shooting, Hunting, Premium Holidays Scotland can arrange salmon fishing on the Kirkaig and Inver rivers. This picture is of Chris playing a 7lb grilse on the Kircaig. Tel: 07920 724 904.

Beaches...

There are lots of white sandy beaches with crystal clear water in the area. A few of our favourites are:

Bulldog beach
Nicknamed by our family as it is perfect for playing British Bulldogs. A secluded bay and beach, only visible at low tide, just past the Loch of Reiff.

Reiff Bay
The beach just in front of Tigh Na Mara - a beautiful sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. From here you can kayak over to Ristol Beach in less than an hour.

Ristol Beach
A short swim or kayak from Old Dornie Harbour, you will find a beautiful beach on its own island with lovely walks and stunning views.

Achnahaird Beach
One of Scotland's most stunning beaches, a beautiful expanse of pale golden sand and turquoise water a few miles north of Achiltibuie. Beyond the grassy dunes are also views of the mountains Canisp, Suilven and Stac Pollaidh.

Achmelvich Beach
This beach is one of the most sensational beaches in the UK. Just near Lochinver, it is a beautiful white sandy sheltered beach with crystal clear water. There is an even better beach just over hill that is even more secluded. You could almost be in the Caribbean.