Everyone should visit Assynt

In the far North West of Scotland you’ll find the other worldly area of Assynt. It’s home to the United Kingdom’s most dramatic landscape, the famous Torridonian sandstone inselbergs (island mountains) of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Canisp and others, the Munro’s of Ben More Assynt and Conival and other hills that appear to tower above the “cnoc and lochan” (Lewisian Gneiss) landscape of shimmering water that sits below them.

I’ve had plenty of friends emigrate from the UK because other parts of the world are more interesting and dramatic but I’m pretty sure that non of them have stood on the ridge of Stac Pollaidh looking north taking in the stupendous views. I’ll give them that the weather wherever they’ve moved might be warmer and sunnier though.

The area also boasts some of Scotland’s best beaches in Achmelvich Bay, Clachtoll and Clashnessie, a commanding sea stack at Stoer and historic buildings like Ardvreck Castle and I wouldn’t be doing my duty of I didn’t point out the world class pies at the Lochinver Larder.

If you need a break from the real world then I implore you to join the roads of the infamous NC500 ( a route I used to get paid to drive - before it was a thing) and visit Assynt and the surrounding area. Fill your time with walking, swimming, fishing, paddling, reading and eating and I promise you you’ll see the joy in life.

Whenever possible we stay at Murray’s Rustic Cabins, if your lucky then the experienced tour guide will be about and he’ll bring your stay to life. I may of course be biased, we’ve known each other since 1996.

In a part of a world where I could have included pictures of the world class landscape I’ve instead posted a picture of a double rainbow taken on the road just outside the cabins. Right now the world needs more rainbows.

As ever if you have any questions about our adventures up there just ask.