Achininver - Local Information
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Dates: 4th May - 2nd September 2012
Tel: 01854 622 482
NB: the approach to Achininver is by a rough pedestrian track, approximately 1/3 mile long. Please take care when arriving at the hostel.
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.
Local Attractions
Summer Isles Sea Tours
Isle of Tanera Mor
Visit the only inhabited Summer Isle by water taxi & explore this beautiful archipelago.
The Achiltibuie Garden
Visit the local hydroponic garden where plants are grown without soil using nutrient solutions. Learn about this ancient method of growing used in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
The Achiltibuie Smokehouse
Visit the family run smokehouse which uses traditional methods developed with over 25 years of expertise to produce and sell smoked Highland foods including fish, meat & cheese
Achiltibuie Artists
The Achiltibuie Artists all live & work on the Coigach peninsula and have joined forces to showcase their work. They are situated in a bespoke gallery space at Coigach Community Hall in Achiltibuie.
Studio 106
Situated beside the Summer Isles Hotel this beautiful little gallery shows paintings, textiles, mosaics & handmade cards by Jan Fraser & Anne Marie Firth-Bernard
Achins Book Shop & Coffee Shop
Situated in Inverkirkaig near the famous Kirkaig waterfalls, the bookshop is noted for its wide range of quality books including Scottish Interest, Natural History, Hill Walking, Children’s books and popular paperbacks. Also sells general craft items and giftware and has a popular coffee shop.
Knockan Crag
This is one of the top Earth science sites in Scotland. Recognised worldwide as the place where scientists first discovered basic principles of geology. Twenty miles north east of Achiltibuie, off the A835 road.
Eating Out
Summer Isles Hotel
Achiltibuie IV26 2YG
Achiltibuie Piping School Cafe
Old Village Hall Achiltibuie
Open 9am – 5pm daily
Am Fuaran Bar
Althandhu Achiltibuie IV26 2YR
Take-away menu available
Walking
Easy Walks
Achininver Hostel & Shore
This short ramble near Achilitibuie leads past remote Achininver Hostel and down to the shore of Horse Sound, with excellent views
Distance: 3 km/1.75 miles
Duration: 1 hour Height Gain: 72 metres/235 feet
Culnacraig Circular
This easy circuit near the end of the Achilitibuie road offers stunning views of the mountains as well as the Summer Isles. It takes in a footpath between the two tiny crofting settlements of Achduart and Culnacraig
Distance: 7.75 km/4.75 miles
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours Height Gain: 110 metres/360 feet
Moderate Walks
Achnahaird Bay Circuit
A rough coastal circuit with fine views of the Coigach mountains. There is a fairly continuous sheep-path for most of the way, but the ground is boggy and crosses slippery rocks above the cliffs in a few places so care is needed
Distance: 8.5 km/5.25 miles
Duration: 2.5 - 4 hours Height Gain: 168 metres/550 feet
Visit Website
Falls of Kirkaig Inverkirkaig
A walk up a beautiful wooded glen to the moorland above for a visit to the impressive Falls of Kirkaig
Distance: 7 km/4.25 miles
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours Height Gain: 165 metres/540 feet
Hill and Mountain Walks
Some of the finest mountains in Britain are within easy travelling distance of Achininver. A few examples are:
Wildlife Walk – Ben Mor Coigach
An arduous yet stunning route along the coast from Ullapool to Achininver – a hidden delight for experienced hill walkers
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Duration: Up to 8 hours Height Gain: 650 metres/2145 feet
Stac Pollaidh Ridge & Circuit
This circuit heads around spectacular Stac Pollaidh (often anglicised to Stac Polly) with an optional ascent up to the ridge. The whole walk has great views over Assynt to the north and the Summer Isles and Achiltibuie to the south and west. Reaching the true summit of Stac Pollaidh involves a tricky scramble
Distance: 4.5 km/2.75 miles
Duration: 2 - 4 hours Height Gain: 510 metres/1675 feet
Ben More Coigach
Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir make a fantastic short but steep day. Ben More Coigach rises like a great sea-wall and the airy and dramatic Garbh Choireachan ridge has sweeping views in all directions. This horseshoe route then ascends the pointed peak of the Fiddler, Sgurr an Fhidhleir. Prominent as a massive triangle of rock from Stac Pollaidh, its north face falls away vertically beneath the summit
Distance: 10.5 km/6.5 miles
Duration: 5 - 7 hours Height Gain: 870 metres/2855 feet
Plus lots more to explore!
Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".
Wildlife
Golden eagle, raven, buzzard, dipper, wildcat, pine martin, otter, red grouse, geese, Great Northern diver, grey seal, red deer. Raven, red grouse, ptarmigan, twite, redpoll, grey seal, red deer, geese, great northern diver, seals, porpoise, dolphins, whales.
Ben Mor Coigach (SWT Reserve)
This is the largest of the SWT reserves and is dominated by mountains, moorland and peatbog. It is a wild place with spectacular views of the coastline and surrounding landscape. The landscape is typical of the area and is still under croft use. Located north of Ullapool, access is from the road to Achiltibuie.
SummerIsles SeaCruises
From Badentarbert Pier Achiltibuie 3 x daily.
Further afield
HandaWildlife Island (SWT)
This spectacular island just off the Sutherland coast has one of the largest seabird colonies in north-west Europe. The place comes alive each summer as some 200,000 seabirds gather here to breed. You’ll see guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and small numbers of puffins on the cliffs. Arctic and great skuas nest on the moor, some very close to the trail. From the clifftop look out to sea, where dolphins, porpoises and minke whales are often seen.
Seascape Expeditions
2 hour RIB ride around the Summer Isles from Ullapool.
Active & Adventure
Fishing
Ullapool Golf Club
Cycling
The Far North West - Achiltiebuie
Beautiful beaches and wonderful views.
The Far North West - around Assynt
Extremely hilly!
The Far North West- Inverpolly Nature Reserve
Interesting mountains and wild scenery, narrow roads with passing places.
Norwest Sea Kayaking
Escape into the wilderness. Explore the unknown ½ day/day trips & hire exploring the coastline from Ullapool to the Summer Isles, from Lochinver to the far North.
Carolyn Hastings Achininver Manager
"Visit Achininver & be enchanted by the view & location. Feel energetic? Then explore the impressive & iconic local hills. Want to relax? Then wander down to the sheltered beach & let the peace & tranquility wash over you."