Assynt and Coigach

Assynt and Coigach

Assynt and Coigach are neighbouring areas, just north of the fishing village of Ullapool in the north-west Highlands. This region is famed for its stunning landscapes, from white sandy beaches between rocky shores, to sandstone summits that tower above a wild and seemingly empty landscape. Most people in this sparsely populated area live in the fishing villages of Ullapool and Lochinver, with crofting communities also dotting the shores and glens. The steep sea cliffs that line much of the shoreline provide a valuable habitat for seabirds. Just offshore lie the famous Summer Isles, which also offer a haven to wildlife, as well as having one of the most remote post offices anywhere in Scotland!

A Geological Marvel

Assynt and Coigach owe their unique landscapes to the rocks that lie below, with much of the area being formed of deeply ancient rocks that are among the oldest on Earth. Small wonder then, that the area is now recognised as a UNESCO geopark.

In particular, the mountains formed of the famous ‘Torridonian Sandstone’ (1.5 billion years old!) have a unique character, and rise abruptly from the glacier scarred surrounding lands. Many of these peaks, such as Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor, offer some of the best hiking in Scotland. Elsewhere, you can also explore the remarkable limestone glen of Inchnadamph – a very unusual rock type in Scotland that leads to a unique landscape home to many unusual flower species. Or visit the famous Knockan Crag, where two types of rock meet in an ‘unconformity’ that was instrumental in the development of the science of geology.