Things to do in and around Clachtoll
Clachtoll Beach Campsite and the surrounding area offers something for everyone, whether you want an action packed day or something more leisurely reading a book or relaxing on the beach. It is a site particularly appealing for all at all times of the year.
This area is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and spectacular land and seascapes. It is quiet and remote, ruggedly beautiful and means so many things to so many different people. Whilst it is peaceful there is always something to do and in the summertime it is a haven for children playing at the beach, rock jumping, swimming, kayaking, having a picnic (the list is endless in all honesty)
When you do need a shopping fix, Lochinver provides a good range of services and facilities and is the nearest place for petrol/diesel (now 24hrs with automated pumps and card payment) and food provisions. There is a post office, where you have banking facilities, newsagent, hardware supplies, tourist information centre and various other shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Ullapool is an hours drive away and the bustling city of Inverness is approximately 2 hours drive away.
Hill Walking
The hills in Assynt can only be described as spectacular and beautiful. They are thought to be the oldest in Britain and contain some of the great mountains of the North such as Suilven, Canisp, Quinag Stac Polly and Ben More Assynt which is our nearest Munro. A particularly good website for hill walking is www.walkhighlands.co.uk
Perhaps no other mountain inspires wonder like the magnificent “Suilven” which dominates the skyline of Assynt. A testing 2389ft high! The difficulty in Suilven is not in the climbing however but the getting there! Setting out from Lochinver the walk to the foot of the hill can take up to three hours before you even begin the ascent. However, the views from Suilven’s majestic peak more than justify the long walk to the base.
Quinaig is perhaps the most impressive ridge walk though and is readily accessible from the road between Loch Assynt to Kylesku.
Walking
Enjoy coastal walks along the beaches and cliff tops or explore inland and follow some of the old peat roads through the hills, moors and by lochs.
Clachtoll and the surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for walking.
Culag Woods has a variety of trails through the 40-hectare mixed woodland and down to the shore.The woodlands have become the venue for many exciting projects such as the sculpture trail, the heron-viewing project, the tepee and children’s play area.
The Wood is a great place to see wildlife and if you walk quietly through the woods you might see an otter or pine marten! You will certainly hear some of the herons which nest high in the tree tops. A mixture of native trees and conifers create a mosaic of habitats interspersed with rocky crags and boggy swamps sloping down to the rugged coast. Over one hundred species of flowering plants can be found in the woods along with a rich growth of mosses and lichens in the moist and clean sea air.
There are few walks in the Northwest set-up for wheelchairs (and those who don't want to get wet boots!) . The Leitir Easaidh All-abilities path visits two lochs with shelters and toilets, and has stunning views across this wild landscape to the surrounding mountains. It's an excellent constructed path with easy gradients; suitable for wheelchairs and prams. There is also toilet facilities at two points on the walk. You can start this walk from the Leitir Easaidh car park, A837.
Fishing
Assynt has always been a very popular area for all types of Angler! There are literally hundreds of fresh water lochs with an abundance of wild brown trout and some seat trout and salmon in the loch also. Sea Anglers are richly rewarded with all species being caught including the ever popular mackerel, cod, haddock, flat fish and just occasionally some sea bass of late.
There is some excellent fishings on the Inver & Kirkaig rivers for both Salmon and trout. The river Kirkaig is more challenging and produces constant catches each year for a river of only three miles in length. The river Inver offers salmon fishing on three stretches, the Upper, Lower Middle and Lower most being easily accessible to all. Both these rivers are typical highland spate rivers and sport can be frenetic after some rain. Booking is through Sporting Lets of Perth. Their number is 01738 451600 or you can email sporting@ckdgalbraith.co.uk. Beats available from £80 - £220 throughout the season.
A short distance north of Lochinver is Lagg Fishery which is open all year, where both wild brown and stocked rainbow trout from 2lbs to 10lbs are on offer. Tom, the owner will fix you up there!
Assynt is famed for the myriad of lochs it has and the brown trout fishing is justifiably famous. There is an abundance of trout angling available in Assynt of a huge variety, suiting all angling and physical abilities. It is genuinely a treasure trove for anglers. The Assynt Angling Association is a collection of local landowners who have put all their trout fishing together under one umbrella. The AAA area stretches from Ardroe just North of Lochinver, east past Loch Assynt to the limestone hills behind Inchnadamph and south to include Lochs Cam, Veyatie and Fionn. It includes some fabulous fishing of an enormous variety: huge lochs such as Assynt and Veyatie, limestone corrie lochs and small, remote mountain lochans. Permits are incredibly good value at just £5 a day or £25/£30 per week given the quality and quantity of wild brown trout in the area and the huge variety of fishing locations. Permits can be obtained from many local businesses including the campsite, Lochinver Post Office, the Lochinver Tourist Information Centre. Boat permits are also available on many lochs just speak to us at the campsite and we will fix you up.
Stuart Yates from www.assyntflyfishing.com is a particularly gifted angler and guide who can show you many of the best lochs and rivers in Assynt and gives a fantastic service.