Area

Assynt
Assynt is an area in west Sutherland, in the Highlands of Scotland, north of Ullapool.
It is famous for its landscape (Inverpolly Nature Reserve) and its remarkable mountains (Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Culmor, Stac Pollaidh and Ben Mor of Assynt).
In 2005 the local community bought Glencanisp estate, including Suilven and the neighbouring Drumrunie estate. The Assynt foundation aims to create local employment and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations and for the enjoyment of the wider public.

WildLife
Some of the Wildlife spotted in the area by previous guests include Heron, Cormorants, Eagles, Seals, Great Skuas and Otters. The latter have also been seen from the Caberfeidh. Dolphins, Basking Sharks and Puffins have been seen at Handa Island. Red Deer and Bats have been seen IN the garden.

Lochinver
Lochinver (Loch an Inbhir in Gaelic) is a small village on the coast, in the Assynt area. 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. Standing guard over the village is the “sugar loaf” shape of Caisteal Liath- the peak of nearby Suilven.
Lochinver is the second largest fishing port in Scotland, frequented by European fishermen primarily from Spain, Portugal and France. Lochinver underwent a major renewal project in the 1990s where the harbour area was rebuilt and a new and much improved loading area was created. This new development involved blasting an area of several hectares out of the surrounding rock. At present the area is mostly undeveloped with the exception of the new sports centre.
The back of Lochinver is a beautiful part of Assynt with local tourism and nature areas being developed in conjunction with small-scale forestry activities.

Suilven
Suilven is one of the most distinctive mountains in Scotland. Lying in a remote area it rises almost vertically from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs and lochans, known as Inverpolly.
The mountain forms a steep-sided ridge some 2km in length. The highest point, known as Caisteal Liath (the Grey Castle), lies at the northwest end of this ridge. There are two other summits: Meall Meadhonach (Middle Hill) at the central point of the ridge is 723m high, whilst Meall Beag (Little Hill) lies at the southeastern end. From the coast to the west Suilven looks like a large grey pillar, hence the name which it was given by sea-borne Vikings. From the inland side the mountain has the appearance of a pyramid. It has also been called Scotland’s Sugar-Loaf.