Clanranald Holidays
Things We Like To Do In Lochinver
Trout Fishing Scotland
Colin, Grandpa and the boys are all members of the Assynt angling club and have been trying hard to catch lots of trout over the years. Many friends come to fish in Assynt and stay with us at Tigh Lios as it is so central. Chris Provan loved it so much he has decided to set up his own business and try to locate permanently to Lochinver. We wish him lots of success and here is a link to his own website
| Website | www.trout-fishing-scotland.com |
Fishing in Assynt
Our family have annual fishing permits for the Assynt Angling Club. Fishing in Assynt is big business with Wild Brown trout and Salmon the most popular in the 400 or so lochs to fish in. Buying permits and all tackle etc. is really cheap, at £5 a day, £25 a week or even a season ticket for £45. Assynt Crofters Trust run the fishing in the north part of Assynt, while the Assynt Angling Club run it in the South, East and West. Lochinver Chandlery will sell all equipment and even has 4 fly rods for loan. Our boys love the thrill of the catch!
NorWest Sea Kayaking
Our family all love to sea kayak. We have 4 of our own and also a Canadian canoe. Julie Anne Macleod is a local Lochinver girl who has set up Norwestseakayaking. She wil be putting us (Colin, Heather, Cameron, Leodhas and Euan) through our paces and instructing us properly this Summer. Struan is only little so will need to wait for a few years and we will hope to get Lauren on board also...
Julie Anne has all the equipment as well as being a great instructor and this might be something you want to do while staying at Heather Cottage!
| Website | www.norwestseakayaking.com |
Assynt Leisure Centre
This new centre has a huge range of facilities : email, PC use, sport (multi-gym and games halls), café, charity shop (in the summer), bouncy castles for wee ones, basketball, indoor football, showers, changing rooms, lockers. Look out for the many extra activities they have, especially during school holidays. Look out also for the travelling cinema bus – great excitement about every three weeks!
| Address | The Harbour, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844123 |
| Website | http://www.lochinver.bordernet.co.uk/organisations/9.html |
The website includes all the classes and functions available in the Assynt Leisure Centre
Sutherland Gemcutters & Assynt Adventures
Great outdoor gear, boots, fishing and inflatable kayaks! We buy the boys outdoor walking boots and wetsuits from Mark and Ellie (who run the shops) Great for special gifts to take home from holiday. Lovely homemade cards–worth buying!
| Address | Main Street, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844530 |
Achins Bookshop & Coffee Shop
Achins book and coffee shop – great way to spend the day – great walk right beside it and then lovely home baked scones/cakes/fresh homemade soup and coffee/tea. Alec is a blether! Great music in the background, Agnes is a MOD singer and very accomplished.
| Address | Inverkirkaig |
| Telephone | 01571 844262 |
| alex@scotbooks.freeuk.com |
Achmelvich Beach
An outstanding beach – safe for kids and for big kids on kayaks etc. It is mentioned in the top 10 safest and cleanest beaches UK 2007 guide. It is five km walk from the house to get there. We love to sail round from Lochinver pier – the background photograph of the ‘You are at’ shows our two eldest sons at the beach with our boat Tern in the background. Take a disposable BBQ and make a day of it. Toilets and parking just beside the beach at the caravan park or the youth hostel.
The Albannach Hotel
A hotel which takes evening meal bookings but need to book far in advance, Fantastic for a special meal. All home cooked using organic, locally produced ingredients. Colin plays the bag pipes to escort you into dinner. Lesley does all the cooking. This is where we go for a very special night out - we went there when on our honeymoon.It is really special and is also in Baddidaroch, five minutes walk from Heather Cottage.
5 en-suite Bedrooms. Dinner, B&B from £105 per person
| Proprietors | Colin Craig & Lesley Crosfield |
| Address | The Albannach Hotel Baddidarroch, Lochinver, IV27 4LP |
| Telephone | 01571 844407 |
| info@thealbannach.co.uk | |
| Website | www.thealbannach.co.uk |
Royal National Mission To Deep Sea Fishermen
The Fisherman’s mission - old fashioned fish and chips - great for kids and old alike who like “stick to ribs” food. Cheap and cheerful! Basic surroundings but high chair and toilets available. Also two pool tables to keep teenagers amused.
| Address | Culag Square Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844456 |
| Fax | 01571 844478 |
Denholm Fishselling Co., Lochinver Chandlery
Mission shop - has absolutely everything in it you might need - clothes (not fashion), kitchen utensils, boat ropes, midgie nets, etc. Be prepared to get lost in here for hours – an Aladdin’s cave.
| Address | Culag Square Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844398 |
The Little Assynt Estate
This Estate, just a few miles south of Lochinver, was purchased by the Culag Community Woodland Trust on behalf of the community in 2000. The Estate consists of 1200 hectares of beautiful wild Assynt landscape. With sign-posted walks, you may catch a glimpse of black throated divers, otters and the occasional eagle.
Two new walks - we have done both with the children. A short (10/15 minute) drive just outside Lochinver - one suitable for wheelchair/prams, the other needs walkers - our 4 year old can do it but he is fit and used to it. Wear good walking boots for the longer one - great historical aspects to this walk and our boys learned about the Clearances and what life was like many moons ago.
One of the main features of the Estate is the newly-constructed All Abilities Path, which provides a great opportunity for those with limited mobility to access the wild and beautiful landscape of Assynt. The route has been constructed so that it is suitable for wheelchair access with gradients no more than 1:12 and a gravel surface that is as level as possible. It winds its way past the shores of two lochs eventually reaching a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding mountains and lochs. Along the way there are rest points, with heather-thatched shelters and compost loos at each loch, as well as two jetties and specially adapted Pioner 13 boats suitable for disabled anglers. Overall, the return distance is about 2.5 km. Email for more details.
| info@culagwoods.org.uk |
Mackay Brothers, Fishmonger
Fresh fish from the pier - fantastic to buy this local produce. You will never taste fish fresher than this. Go along and watch the fish coming off the big boats and see the huge variety. Our boys love this.
| Address | Culag Square, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844298/575 |
| Website | www.mackaybros.com |
| mackaybros@ukonline.co.uk |
Caberfeidh Licensed Restaurant
Another great restaurant serving traditional pub grub. They have quiz evenings and music evenings so well worth going along.
| Address | Main Street, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844321 |
| Fax | 01571 844428 |
The Assynt Visitor Centre
Loads of information. Upstairs gallery and adventure area for children - our children love it! Great for occupying an afternoon when the rain is on.
The Centre is home to the Tourist Information Centre. For more information contact info@visitscotland.com. This is your first port of call for all kinds of tourist information. The Visitor Centre can provide advice, and provides many informative leaflets about the area, places to stay and places to visit. There are also toilets in the Centre.
There are displays and information on the Assynt area created by Assynt Tourism Group, with games and things for children to do, paper and colouring pencils, CD Rom of Assynt, reference section on geology, history, wildlife, walking etc, what to see in Assynt and recent wildlife sightings, videos and a telescope overlooking busy Lochinver harbour with views of seals, a touch table and fish tank with animals you come across in rock pools, geology specimens etc.
The upper floor of the Centre also houses the Highland Council Rangers.
Come upstairs and meet the Rangers - Andy, Tina, Roz and Julie-Ann - see the displays and find things for the children to do! Get advice or information on walks or wildlife in Assynt.
| Address | Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844654 (leave a message if we’re not there!) |
Lochinver Stores & Petrol Station
Lochinver Stores in village has most things.
| Address | Main Street, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844207 |
Inverpark Stores
Inverpark Stores in Baddidarroch is very well stocked and is the nearest store to the cottage (5 minutes walk.)
| Address | Inverpark Stores, Badidarrach, Lochinver |
| Telephone/Fax | 01571 844360 |
Lochinver Larder Restaurant & Delicatessen
This has the best pies in the world! Ian and Debra welcome you and are excellent hosts - we always go in for a coffee and cake and a read of the newspaper!
| Address | Main Street Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844356 |
| Fax | 01571 844688 |
| lochlarder@btconnect.com | |
| Websites | www.lochinverlarder.co.uk www.piesbypost.co.uk |
Highland Stoneware Pottery
We love to buy new pieces of pottery when we visit as it is so beautiful and we want to support the local business. Go along and see the pottery being made – no cost at all.
| Address | Badidarrach Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844376 |
| potters@highlandstoneware.co.uk | |
| Website | www.highlandstoneware.com |
Alastair Macaskill – Butcher, Greengrocer, Venison Dealer
Local butcher - there are not many around now so it is lovely to go in and buy local , fresh produce.
| Address | Main Street, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844392 |
Lochinver Post Office
| Address | Main Street, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844201 |
The Royal Bank Of Scotland
| Address | Culag, Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844215 |
Inverbank Newsagents
The newsagents, John and Betty, are always there to provide you with all newspapers and magazines to keep you busy. Fishing tackle, some kids’ toys and ice lollies are on sale!
| Address | Main Street Lochinver |
| Telephone | 01571 844331 |
Churches
There are many churches in Lochinver.
- Church Of Scotland, Main Street, Lochinver
- Scottish Episcopal Church (RNMDSF)
- Lochinver Free Church
- Stoer Free Church
- Drumbeg Free Church
- Lochinver Free Presbyterian Church
The Village Hall
This holds ceilidhs, sales, cake & candy and music evenings. Look out for posters in the village to get details of events. Great atmosphere