Sutherland (ON Sudrland, South Land) covers 5,252km2 with a population in 2001 of only 13,466, most of whom live on the fertile east coast. in the Gaelic language the southeast part is called Cataibh, referring to the Cat people who inhabited caithness and Sutherland.
AltnaharraAltnaharra (G Allt N Herra, Stream of the Parish) is one of the remotest villages in the UK. It holds the record for the lowest temperature, of minus 27.2oc in December 1995. It is a popular base for anglers, deer stalkers, climbers and, hill walkers. From here the A836 goes north to Tongue and south [...]
Ben BhraggieBen Bhraggie (394m) and its statue of the 1st Duke of Sutherland is a prominent landmark. The summit can be reached by a path leading from the centre of the village. There are fine panoramic views along the coast. The return route follows Dunrobin Glen and the Big Burn past a waterfall and small gorge.
Ben More Assynt and ConivalBen More Assynt (998m) and Conival (987m) are the highest peaks in the district. Only the great western bulk of Conival is visible from the road. Both are capped by Cambrian Quartzite, grey on a dull day but bright in the sun. The ascent is normally made from the Inchnadamph Hotel, but it is a [...]
BettyhillBettyhill is said to take its name from the countess of Sutherland who created the village to accommodate evicted tenants. it occupies the peninsula between the estuary of the river Naver and Farr Bay. For many years there was a large Salmon netting fishery at Navermouth. Today only an icehouse, pier, and ruined buildings remain.
Bonar BridgeBonar Bridge lies at the south end of the Kyle of Sutherland, the confluence of the Salmon rich rivers of carron, Oykel and Shin. it was for long a ferry point, but in 1812 Thomas Telford chose it for the first of three bridges to cross here, and the village prospered until the Dornoch Bridge was [...]
BroraBrora (ON Brua A, Bridge river) in the parish of clyne (G cleonadh, sloping) lies at the mouth of the river Brora. There is ample evidence for prehistoric settlement including chambered cairns, hut circles, field systems, brochs, and a substantial hillfort. These early inhabitants would have been attracted by the fertile land of the coastal [...]
CanispCanisp (ON White Mountain, 846m) is to the northeast of Suilven and stands isolated 691m above its surrounding wilderness. The view from the top is regarded as being one of the best in Scotland, and which repays the long trek in from the cam Loch, Loch Awe or Lochinver.
EmboEmbo was established as a fishing village during the clearances in the early 19th century. Today there is no fishing but it is a popular holiday resort due to its lovely long sandy beach. Perhaps its appeal is the chambered cairn in the car park of the caravan site. The cairn contained a number of [...]
GolspieGOLSPIE (ON Golls Baer, Goll’s Farm) is situated on the narrow coastal plain below Ben Bhraggie. The village is sheltered from the west and faces south to the Dornoch Firth. With an award winning and lovely sandy beach, nearby woodland and links, it is a very pleasant place to stop. St Andrew’s Church was rebuilt [...]
HelmsdaleHelmsdale (ON Hjalmundur’s Dale) is a pretty little village at the Mouth of the river Helmsdale. For centuries it was an isolated salmon fishing and curing station. In 1814 building of a new planned village and harbour was commenced by the Sutherland Estate to accommodate some of the families who had been displaced. The idea [...]
Inchnadamph NNRInchnadamph NNR is something of a paradise for geologists and botanists. The former come to study the complex rock formations of the Moine Thrust, while the latter are attracted by the amazing diversity of plants which grow on the limestone outcrops in this area. Even people with little knowledge of geology or botany cannot fail [...]
KinlochbervieKinlochbervie is now a major landing port for white fish trawlers and the fish market makes an interesting visit during an auction. The flurry of activity as the catch is landed, sorted, sold and despatched on trucks is in great contrast to the relaxed atmosphere which pervades most of the time. Apart from a number [...]
KyleskuKylesku is an attractive little village just off the main road, south of the bridge. it has a pier from which boat trips are run in the summer to the Kerrachar Gardens and to the waterfalls. These afford a good chance to see wildlife such as seals, Otters or Golden Eagles. Kylesku Bridge is an [...]
LairgLairg (G Lairig, sloping hill) is the crossroads of Sutherland. Situated at the south end of Loch Shin, it is an ancient settlement site, with many Neolithic remains. Today it is renowned for its great annual sheep sale, the largest in Scotland. At the main sale in August over 25,000 sheep may change hands. This [...]
LochinverLochinver is the only large village in Assynt, and owes its prosperity to its excellent harbour. Fishing boats land their catches of whitefish and shellfish here for shipment south. The imposing sugar loaf of Suilven, and neighbouring Canisp, provide a magnificent backdrop to the village. Perhaps the best views are from the side road going [...]
MelvichMelvich lies on the west side of the estuary of the Halladale river. This fertile crofting township includes a large areaof machair links. In former times Salmon were netted in large numbers with nets set across the rivermouth and in the bay. Bighouse (ON Bygdh hus, Village House) on the east shore dates from the [...]
QuinagQUINAG (G Chuineag, milking pail) is a large mountain (808m), which dominates the landscape all around it. Perhaps the most striking view is from the road north of the Kylesku Bridge. The mountain is composed of Torridonian Sandstone and the high peaks are topped by Cambrian Quartzite.
RogartROGART (ON red Farm), or Pittentrail, is in the middle of Strath Fleet, which leads west from the Mound to Lairg. This valley and the surrounding area is ruggedly attractive with a scattering of farms, houses and crofts and forms part of the parish of Rogart.
ScourieScourie (G Scobh Airigh, Shieling by the Little Wood) is a small village situated at the head of Scourie Bay. A small sandy beach is backed by an area of machair. Now bypassed by the A894, the village is a good place to stop and also a fine base from which to explore the far [...]
StrathnaverSTRATHNAVER The Province of Strathnaver originally stretched from Kylesku to Caithness. There is evidence of long settlement here from ancient times with Neolithic chambered cairns, stone circles, Bronze Age cist burials and Iron Age brochs. A mixture of Gaelic and Norse placenames as well as many ruined farmsteads and settlements evoke more recent times. The [...]
TongueTongue (ON Tonga, Tongue) is a sheltered village on the east side of the Kyle of Tongue. For long this was reay territory, which stretched from Kylesku to Bighouse, but by 1830 all this land belonged to the Sutherland Estate. Kyle of Tongue A causeway and bridge across the Kyle was opened in 1971 as [...]
