The Brigs

Clashnessie, by Lochinver Sutherland

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Walking - we are surrounded by some of the wildest countryside in the Highlands, so explore on foot - in whatever direction you care.  Climb the Munros - Ben More Assynt and Conival; the Corbetts - Quinag, Cul Mor, Canisp, Cul Beag, Arkle and Foinaven; or the slightly lower Suilven and Stac Pollaidh.  Each is a major undertaking in its own right.  Allow sufficient time and do take map, compass and proper equipment / preparations.  OS map Landranger 15 - Loch Assynt, Lochinver and Kylesku at 1:50,000 covers the local area.  Explorer 442 - Assynt & Lochinver provides coverage at 1:25,000. For further details on walking in Assynt go to Walkhighlands.co.uk

Fishing –beyond the Waterfall is an extensive complex of lochs, starting some 20 minutes walk from the house. Assynt boasts over 200 inland waterways.  Wild trout abound, not necessarily large, but feisty beasties, and 3 to the pound is the norm.  We leave it to you to discover the best spots from where we have landed several over 1 lb, and a number over 3lbs in recent years. The open season for trout fishing is 15 March to 6 October. Fishing on the North Assynt Estate is controlled by the Assynt Crofters Trust. That to the East and the South by the Assynt Angling Group.  Permits are available from Drumbeg Stores, and in Lochinver from newsagents, the two general stores, Chandlery and the Assynt Centre where you can also find out about river, salmon and sea fishing, boats, gillies and instruction. Well stocked wild and rainbow trout fishing from 2 to 6 lbs and more is available three miles away at Lagg Fishery on the road to Drumbeg, where boat hire and instruction can also be arranged.  Salmon fishing on the Inver and Kirkaig rivers is controlled by Inver Lodge Hotel. A new web-site www.assynt.anglingresearch.org.uk provides some good detail on the area.

Bird watching – several times a day buzzards fly over Clashnessie. Black and Red Throated Divers swim on the hill lochs, Red Grouse rise from the heather and Ptarmigan on the higher peaks. Eider, Curlew, Avocet and Sand Pipers frequent the shoreline around Oldany and Drumbeg.  A visit to the privately owned Seabird Sanctuary on Handa Island managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust is thoroughly recommended.

                               Red Throated Diver                                                 Black Throated Diver

Coastal walks – we enjoy those around Stoer Head – see the Old Man of Stoer sea stacks, whales, dolphins and a host of sea birds.  You will need be very quiet and vigilant to spot the otters at Stoer Culkein.  At Culkein Drumbeg – seals bask on the rocks and you may collect your own mussels at low tide – but look for those without barnacles and avoid the gritty bits! Tide tables for Lochinver are displayed at the Visitors Centre. Low Water at Clashnessie is half an hour later, and at the mussel beds it is one hour later than Lochinver.  The Highland Regional Council Countryside Rangers lead a variety of walks around some of the more interesting natural history locations.

Swimming, Snorkelling and Diving – Clashnessie is located within the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream – however we much prefer to swim and snorkel the inland lochs where the upper reaches can be significantly warmer!   SCUBA is available locally – enquire at the Visitors Centre in Lochinver. Indoor Swimming Pool at Ullapool. Gymnasium/sports hall/Internet Cafe in Lochinver.

Cycle hire from Marion Macleod, Polchaple, Culkein Drumbeg  (01571 833245) or The Rose B&B in Lochinver  (01571 844257)