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Maps and Directions
Ullapool
Ullapool is a small fishing village and ferry port located in the north west highlands of Scotland. The nearest large town is Inverness on the east coast.
Inverness is an airport, bus and train destination for the rest of the United Kingdom. Buses run regularly from Inverness to Ullapool which also serves as a ferry port to the Western Isles.
If you are travelling by car follow the A835 from Inverness to Ullapool, a journey of approximately 1 hour.
Achnahaird
Achnahaird is situated on the Coigach peninsula and is a 22 mile drive to the north and west of Ullapool. From Ullapool, continue North for 10 miles along A835, before turning left at Drumrunie Junction on to the single-track road, signposted Achiltibuie and the Summer Isles.
After 12 miles turn right at Achnahaird/Achiltibuie junction signposted Achnahaird and Beach. Stac Pollaidh Self Catering is ½ mile away after the 3rd house up the hill in the small village of Achnahaird.
Croft House and the Turf House
From Inverness travel northwards for 80 miles on A835 to Ullapool. From Ullapool, continue North for 10 miles along A835, before turning left at Drumrunie Junction onto the single-track road, signposted Achiltibuie and the Summer Isles. After 12 miles turn right at Achnahaird/Achiltibuie junction signposted Achnahaird and Beach.
Stac Pollaidh Self Catering is ½ mile away after the 3rd house up the hill in the small village of Achnahaird.
You will know when you have arrived as you will see the Stac Pollaidh sign (see above) at the roadside. Thigibh an iar thuagh agus deanamh sibh-fein aig an tigh (come to the West and make yourselves at home)
Failte gu Coigach (Welcome to Coigach)
The Ullapool Flat
The Ullapool Flat - Sigth na Mara (The tranquillity of the sea) is situated on sea front, overlooking Lochbroom, amongst a row of sandstone terraced houses, in the Ullapool conservation area.
From Inverness drive 60 miles on the A835 North to Ullapool. The flat is on Shore Street which runs along the sea front towards the harbour. No 19 is 100 metres past the filling station.
Please click on the link
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Achnahaird beach
Bird Watching
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Bird Sightings
2010 was the best ever year for bird sightings in this area.
The following list of birds were spotted by one visiting couple.
"Just a quick email to thank you so much for a wonderful week in the turf house, what a fabulous place! All these birds were seen in and around Achiltibuie whilst on walks ( not seriously bird watching) and all in summer plumage and possibly nesting in the locality"
Clive & Dalia (24.07.2010)
- Red-throated Diver
- Black-throated Diver (Loch Lurgainn)
- Fulmar
- Manx Shearwater
- Gannet
- Cormorant
- Shag
- Shelduck
- Eider
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Buzzard
- Red Grouse
- Oystercatcher
- Ringed Plover
- Golden Plover
- Dunlin
- Common Sandpiper
- Redshank
- Greenshank
- Curlew
- Snipe
- Great Skua
- Artic Skua
- Common Gull
- Herring Gull
- Lerrer Black-backed Gull
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Kittiwake
- Common Tern
- Artic Tern
- Sandwich Tern
- Razorbill
- Black Guillemot
- Rock Dove
- Cuckoo
- Swallow
- Skylark
- Meadow Pipit
- Dunnock
- Robin
- Wheater
- Stonechat
- Song Thrush
- Mistle Thrush
- Willow Warbler
- Whitethroat
- Hooded Crow
- Raven
- Jackdaw
- Starling
- House Sparrow
- Chaffinch
- Linnet
- Redpoll
- Twite
- Greenfinch
- Reed Bunting
- Yellowhammer
- Heron
- Osprey (with fish)
- Sea Eagle
Some useful birdwatching information ..
Tel 01854 612472 to arrange. Two-hour wildlife cruises to the Isle Martin bird sanctuary and seal islands (departs at 2.15pm daily, plus an extra sailing on Sundays at 11am), as well as 4-hour cruises to the Summer Isles including time ashore on Tanera Mhor (departs 10am Monday to Saturday). Sunset evening cruises to Isle Martin - times vary.
Tel 01854 633708 to arrange. Lasting approximately 2 hours this 40 sea mile trip takes in the sheltered cliffs of Isle Martin bird sanctuary and seal islands. Seascape expeditions use an all weather, 300hp, 8.5mtr RIB (Rigid inflatable Boat), certified to MCA code of Practice.
Telephone 01854 622200 to arrange. The Hectoria is another local cruise boat that takes people round the islands to see the seals and rare birds. Sailings are twice daily at 10.30 am and 2.15 pm . No need to book (not Sundays) Evening sea fishing trips are also available on request.
Birdwatching in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands. This site describes some of the many rare species found in the North West Highlands, and has photographs species ranging from Sea Eagles to Finches.
A bird watching trip report on Scotland from 2000.
Handa Island Bird Reserve
Handa Island bird reserve is just 1 ¾ hours drive north, where you can see breeding seabirds including puffins and arctic skua.
With magnificent sea cliffs that rise vertically from the Atlantic in the northwest Handa Island come alive each summer when nearly 200,000 seabirds, including kittiwakes, arctic skuas and puffins, gather to breed. Guillemots, razorbills and great skuas reach internationally important numbers on the island.
For breeding seabirds the best time to visit Handa is in May, June and July, boat trips leave every 15 minutes in season.
More info on Handa can be found at the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.
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Tel: 01854 622340, Mobile: Text Sheila on 07843688843, International: +44 1854622340,
Or write to: David & Sheila Green, Stac Pollaidh Self Catering, Achnahaird, Achiltibuie, Ullapool IV26 2YT