Holiday Activities Local Area 

  

A Musical Journey Around the Coigach Peninsula : Passing Places  

 

The following YouTube video follows part of the 9 mile circuit around Coigach on which the two self catering cottages (Turf House and Croft House) are located.

"Written for Celtic Connections 2009, the journey takes the form of a musical and filmic journey through the spectacular scenery and cultural riches of the Coigach peninsula, in Mairearad’s native Wester Ross. Also reflecting 2009’s celebration of homecoming, the music’s recurrent motifs and changing themes unfold against a visual backdrop created by Magnus Graham."

For more information visit www.maireadgreen.com.

  

Walking/Climbing  

 

With its stunning and varied scenery, this area is a walker's paradise.  There is a collection of interesting and varied walks around lochs and hills, ranging in length from 3 to 30 miles. This area is unrivalled in the variety and scale it offers including delightful coastal routes as well as the famous ancient sandstone hills of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Ben More Coigach.

Three miles away on the cliffs at Reiff is some of the best rock climbing in Scotland.  The cliffs are well known in climbing circles and many people come to this area for the challenge.  The area offers an amazing array of steep sandstone sea cliffs, many of which are non-tidal. There are several different areas, with walk-ins ranging from 5 minutes to one hour. 

The Sea cliffs at Reiff

  

 

Two useful mountaineering sites which cover this area..

 

http://www.scottishclimbs.com/ : News. Discussion forum. Competition results. Guides to trad, sport, and bouldering areas across Scotland. Photos. Articles. (Scotland)

http://www.ukclimbing.com/ : Forums, News, photos UK Climbing is the definitive source for all Climbing and Mountain-related activity. We are the central source of information for UK Climbing.

 

Boat Trips    

 

The Isabella sailing from Old Dorie pier, is a local cruise boat takes people round the islands to see the seals and rare birds.  (no sailings on a Sunday)  Evening sea fishing trips available on request.     

The Summer Queen, sails from Ullapool to the Summer Isles daily stopping on Tanera Mor, the largest of the Summer Isles.    

Sailing,The Summer Isles Sailing School is a RYA accredited sailing school based on Tanera Mhor, the largest of the Summer Isles.   

Kayaking, Come and paddle with local company NorWest Sea Kayaking based in the Achiltibuie-Summer Isles, Ullapool, Gairloch, Lochinver areas.

 

Fishing   

Guests are welcome to use our small rowing boat on a trout loch ½ mile from the Croft House/Turf House.

Permits are available for salmon and trout fishing on local lochs and rivers.

Fly Fishing available to let from the Summer Isles Hotel:- Boat on Loch Oscaig for Sea trout from end June to September. 

Brown Trout fishing on the Hill Lochs Fishing from Badentarbet Estate - River Garvie - seatrout and salmon river from June - September; Lochs Beiste, Vatachan, Dornie and Totaig - brown trout Fishing from Inverpolly Estate - Loch Scionascaig and Badagyle; Polly River and River Garvie

There are many small lochs in the area where you can catch brown trout. On the larger lochs, such as Oscaig, you can also try for sea trout.  When you are here you can ask at Coigach Craft Shop in Polbain for further details.

Stac Pollaidh

The View from Achnahaird 

Photograph - John McCarthy

 

 

Achnahaird Beach lies adjacent the Croft and only ½ mile walk away.  (photo)  It provides some of the best conditions for canoeing and kayaking around the beautiful Summer Isles.   Also plenty of breezes to test your skills with kites or wind surfing.   Other stunning sandy beaches within easy reach are found at Achmelvich and Clashnessie.

 

Bird Watching  Over 100 species of birds including eagles, red and black throated divers, curlew and snipe.   Handa Island bird reserve is just 1 ¾ hours drive north,  where you can see breeding seabirds including puffins and arctic skua. Boat trips leave every 15 minutes in season.  

Other wildlife includes dolphins, seals, otters, stags, wild cats, pine martens and golden eagles. Ocassionally anglers come to fish for sea bass from Achnahaird beach. 

Achnahaird Beach

 

 

 

Gardens

There are easy drives to Leckmelm Gardens outside Ullapool, Inverewe Gardens and boat trips from Kylesku which go inland up the sea loch to visit Europe 's longest waterfall or to Kerracher Gardens.

Culture

The Coigach peninsula has a thriving community with a rich and fascinating history. Regular music and arts events are held throughout the year. All visitors are made very welcome at the Ceilidhs and dances in the local village hall, which boasts a magnificent performing space. Local musicians playing traditional music and many well known bands appear regularly in the Coigach Village Hall.   The hall also offers recreational facilities (badminton, pool, a well stocked library) to both locals and visitors.

Summer Isles Festival  Winners of Community Project of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Music Awards 2014!
http://summerislesfestival.com/home.Celebrating our community, our enthusiasm and our cultural identity, through top quality music, local food produce, arts and crafts.  Summer Isles Festival Ceilidh 26 August 2017

 

Visit the remains of the old Viking houses or stone circles around the peninsula. 

Visit the award winning Ullapool Museum to check on your genealogy and see if your forebears emigrated, possibly to Nova Scotia on the ship The Hector during the 18th century?

Beautiful sea and mountain views complete with wide open landscapes, combine to provide a dream location for artists and photographers as well as for that special wedding!   On a clear day you can see the Islands of Skye, Harris, Lewis and the Shiants from the Coigach peninsula. Local Art, Craft, Creative Writing can be booked in advance through - www.wildtiles.co.uk ;  www.bridgehouseart.co.uk and www.antallasolais.org.

Leckmelm Gardens

 

Geopark

The area is of great geological interest and has recently been awarded Geo Park Status.  Knockan Crag Visitor centre, at the southern end of the Northwest Geopark, tells the history of the rocks and is only a 30 minute drive away.

Visit the Hydroponicum, a unique water based garden, in Achiltibuie.   Tours, coffee and snacks available.  

Local shops - Achiltibuie Stores (sells petrol/diesel); Polbain Stores; Polbain Craft Shop; The Summer Isles Smokehouse continues to produce award winning smoked and cured salmon, kippers, eel etc.

Eating Out

Excellent food served at the Furan Bar and the Summer Isles Hotel and at the new SALT seafood restaurant.  Beautiful cakes, lunch and evening meal at the Piping School cafe.  Tea and cake at Polbain Craft shop.

The village of Ullapool is 23 miles from Achnahaird (45 mins drive). aShops (including a Tesco Supermarket), numerous restaurants, pubs and bar meals, museum, art galleries and craft shops, health centre, leisure centre, swimming pool, tennis courts etc.

Winter Sunset over Achnahaird