Assynt Ranger Service Guided Walks
Contact – Andy Summers
Email – andy.summers@highland.gov.uk
Tel – 01571 844654
Highland Council Countryside Ranger Events
For Assynt 2011
Cuairtean le Treoraiche Asainte
Contact – Andy Summers
Email – andy.summers@highland.gov.uk Tel – 01571 844654
MAY 2011
Tuesday 3rd May, 11am-2pm
Clachtoll Coastal walk, Assynt
Join us on this beautiful coastal walk. There is so much to explore here including redshanks, curlews and peewits settling down to their breeding grounds.
Meet Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273
Grade B
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 5th May, 10am-5pm
Aeroplane Flats, Assynt
Trek to the scene of the 2nd World War aeroplane crash on Beinn an Fhurain (700m) and see the wildlife on the way. Meet at Inchnadamph car park, NC251 217. Total 16km. There will be an alternative shorter walk if the weather is bad.
Grade D
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 10th May, 11am-3pm
Achmelvich Coastal walk, Assynt
What are you interested in? This delightful walk through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers covers it all. Watch out for dolphins too and hear lots of stories. Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248 .
Grade B/C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 12th May, 11am-4pm
The Old Man of Stoer, Assynt
Cliff top walk to the point of Stoer. Encounter the nesting seabirds and look out for great skuas, peregrines, seals and dolphins. We will get close views of the Old Man of Stoer. Meet Stoer lighthouse, NC005 328.
Grade D
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 17th May, 11-2pm
The Bone Caves, Assynt
A fascinating walk back in time to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered- one of the gems in the North West Highlands Geopark.
Meet Bone Caves car park, 4km south of Inchnadamph, NC254 179.
Grade C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 19th May, 11am-3pm
The Secrets of Glen Leireag, Assynt
Explore the lost township and discover the secrets of this magical woodland glen. Seek out moorland wildlife and golden eagles.
Meet at Nedd bridge 3km east of Drumbeg, NC148 315.
Grade C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions
Tuesday 24th May, 11am-3pm
Where did the Meteorite strike in Assynt ?
Join us as we visit Europe’s largest known meteorite strike. Learn about the ancient landscape over one billion years ago, which makes up part of the North West Highlands Geopark. Amazing views and stunning wildlife.
Meet at Clachtoll Beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade B/C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 26th May
11am-4pm
Golden Eagles in Assynt
Slide show talk followed by walk
Majestic but elusive, Golden Eagles are one of the Highland’s special birds. There will be a short drive. Start at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver, NC094 225.
Booking essential.
Grade D
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 31st May, 11am-3pm
The Limestone valley of the Traligill, Assynt
This is Biodiversity week so why not join us as we explore the ancient limestone scenery in search of alpine flowers: saxifrages, mountain avens, orchids and many more. Meet at Inchnadamph car park, NC251 216.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
JUNE 2011
Thursday 2nd June, 11am-4pm
Kylestrome & Glendubh, Kylesku.
Hill and coastal walk with spectacular views, chance of seeing ravens, red deer, seals, divers, moorland flowers. Meet at Reay Forest estate car park [Kylestrome], NC 218 346
Grade D
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 7th June, 11am-3pm
Achmelvich Coastal walk, Assynt
What are you interested in? This delightful walk through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers covers it all. Watch out for dolphins too and hear lots of stories. Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248.
Grade B/C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 9th June, 11am-3pm
Drumbeg Peat Road, Assynt
Journey to the mysterious interior of Assynt rich in wildlife and history and dangerous stories. Meet at Drumbeg View Point car park, NC120 330.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 14th June, 9pm-11pm
Bats Evening at Lochinver, Assynt
Slide show at the Visitor Centre followed by a visit to the local pipistrelle roost to watch up to 100 bats leave their roost. Bring midge protection.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, NC094 225.
Grade A
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 16th June, 11am-5pm
Bone Caves to the Traligill Basin, Assynt
A fascinating walk linking two cave systems within the limestone area of Inchnadamph. Amazing tapestry of alpine flowers through red deer country.
Meet at Bone Caves car park, 4km south of Inchnadamph, NC254 179.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 21st June, 11am- 2pm
Clachtoll Coastal walk, Assynt
Join us on this beautiful coastal walk through a crofting village past an Iron-age fort. Hear the story of skeletons, ancient saunas and the "murder hole". Meet Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade B
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 23rd June, 11am-3pm
River Inver to Glencanisp, Assynt
A varied walk along riverside woodland via the Highland Clearance Village of Dubh Clais returning along the loch shore. We will be looking out for Black-throated divers.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver, NC094 225.
Grade B
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 28th June, 11am-2pm
The Bone Caves, Assynt
A fascinating walk back in time to the caves where Ice-age bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered.
Meet Bone Caves car park, 4km south of Inchnadamph, NC254 179.
Grade C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 30th June, 11am-4pm
The Old Man of Stoer, Assynt
Cliff top walk to the point of Stoer. Encounter the nesting seabirds and look out for great skuas, peregrines, seals and dolphins. We will get close views of the Old Man of Stoer. Meet Stoer lighthouse, NC005 328.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
JULY 2011
Monday 4th July, 11am-1pm
Survival skills, Culag Woods, Assynt
Learn some wilderness survival skills. Including shelter building and fire lighting.
Meet Culag Woods car park, 500m south of Lochinver Primary School, NC093 213.
Grade B
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 5th July, 4pm-5.30pm
Rockpools at Achmelvich, Assynt
There is more to rockpooling than a load of old crabs stuffed in a bucket. You just need to look at things a little differently. Meet at Achmelvich beach car park NC058 248.
£2 Children.
Wed 6th July, 10am-5pm
Quinag, Assynt
Explore this fantastic Assynt mountain (808m). Look for Mountain Hares, Ptarmigan and wildflowers. If the weather is not good we will do a shorter low level walk.
Meet at the car park 3km north of Skiag Bridge, NC232 274.
Grade D
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 12th July, 11am-3pm
Stoer to Balchladdich Coastal walk
Cliff top walk along magnificent scenery. Good chance of seeing dolphins, seabirds, seals and otters. There is also amazing geology along the way. There is no path.
Meet at Stoer Cemetery NC040 283.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Wed 13th July, 11am-3pm
Achmelvich Coastal walk, Assynt
What are you interested in? This delightful walk through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers covers it all. Watch out for dolphins too and hear lots of stories. Meet Achmelvich beach car park NC058 248.
Grade B/C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 14th July, 11am-1pm
The Gruffalo, Lochinver, Assynt
A mouse took a walk in the deep dark woods… Follow the trail to find the Gruffalo. Suitable for families with children 3 to 8 years olds. May get muddy.
Meet Culag Woods car park, 500m south of Lochinver Primary, NC093 213.
Grade A
£2 Children.
Tuesday 19th July, 11am-2pm
Clachtoll Coastal walk, Assynt
Join us on this beautiful coastal walk through a crofting village past an Iron-age fort. Hear the story of skeletons, ancient saunas and the "murder hole". Meet Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade B
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Wed 20th July, 11am-3pm
The Limestone Valley of the Traligill, Assynt
A fascinating walk through ancient limestone scenery, past secret caves, dramatic waterfalls and dry river beds. Meet at Inchnadamph car park, NC251 216.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 21st July, 11am-2pm
The Snail and the Whale, Achmelvich, Assynt
“This is the tale of the tiny snail and a great big grey-blue humpback whale”. Suitable for families with children 3 to 8 years olds.
Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248.
Grade A
£2 Children.
Tuesday 26th July, 11am-2pm
The Bone Caves, Assynt
A fascinating walk back in time to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered.
Meet Bone Caves car park, 4km south of Inchnadamph, NC254 179.
Grade C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Tuesday 26th July, 7.30pm
Otters in Assynt (slide show)
Discover how to increase your chances of seeing an Otter in Assynt and learn about their really wild life-style.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver.
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Wed 27th July, 10am- 1pm
Otters at Stoer
Walk along the cliff top to look for evidence of otters and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Meet at Stoer Cemetery car park, NC040 283.
Grade C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 28th July, 11am-1pm
Rockpools at Clachtoll, Assynt
There is more to rockpooling than a load of old crabs stuffed in a bucket. You just need to look at things a little differently. Meet at Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273.
£2 Children.
AUGUST 2011
Tuesday 9th August, 11am-4pm
Clachtoll to Stoer Peat Road, Assynt
A journey into the heart of Assynt and glimpse the old way of life and visit the druids cave and ancient stone carvings. Meet at Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Wed 10th August, 2pm-5pm
Whale and Dolphin Watching at Stoer Lighthouse
A slide show at Stoer Hall all about whales and dolphins.
Then watching from the lighthouse cliffs to search for passing cetaceans (not guaranteed). This event is part of the National Whale and Dolphin Watching Week. Meet at Stoer Hall, NC041 297.
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 11th August, 11am-1pm
Clachtoll Sand Sculpture Competition, Assynt
Fun for all the family. Bring bucket and spade and lots of ideas. Great prizes. Judging at 1pm. Charity Barbeque.
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park, NC040 273
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Tuesday 16th August, 11am-3pm
The Limestone Valley of the Traligill, Assynt
A fascinating walk through ancient limestone scenery, past secret caves, dramatic waterfalls and dry river beds. Meet at Inchnadamph car park, NC251 216
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 18th August, 11am-3pm
Traditional Highland Uses of Wildlife, Achmelvich.
How did people live off the land? and strange stories your Great Granny may have heard about wildflowers, creatures and more.
Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248.
Grade B
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Tuesday 23rd August, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Bat Evening, Lochinver
Slide show at the Visitor Centre followed by a visit to the local pipistrelle roost to watch up to 100 bats leave their roost. Bring midge protection.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, NC094 225
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 25th August, 11am-3pm
Drumbeg Peat Road, Assynt
Journey to the mysterious interior of Assynt rich in wildlife and history and dangerous stories. Meet at Drumbeg View Point car park, NC120 330.
Grade B
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 30th August, 11am-4pm
Stoer Lighthouse to Culkein Cliff Walk, Assynt
Join us on this beautiful coastal walk and see some of the most dramatic cliff top scenery in Scotland. See the famous Old Man of Stoer and the natural sandstone archway at Culkein. Transport can be provided back to the lighthouse.
Meet at Stoer lighthouse, NC005 328
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Thursday 1st Sept, 11am-2pm
Clachtoll Coastal Walk, Assynt
Join us on this beautiful coastal walk through a crofting village past an Iron-age fort. Hear the story of skeletons, ancient saunas and the "murder hole". Meet Clachtoll beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade B
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Tuesday 6th Sept 11am-2pm
Fungi at Culag Woods
Explore the marvellous world of fungi. Meet the different characters and learn their secrets in one of the best woods in Sutherland. Meet Culag Wood car park, 500m south of Lochinver Primary, NC093 213.
Grade A
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Thursday 8th Sept, 11am-3pm
The Limestone Valley of the Traligill, Assynt
A fascinating walk through ancient limestone scenery, past secret caves, dramatic waterfalls and dry river beds. Meet at Inchnadamph car park, NC251 216.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 13th Sept, 11am-3pm
River Inver to Glencanisp, Assynt
A varied walk along riverside woodland via the Highland Clearance Village of Dubh Clais returning along the loch shore.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver NC094 225.
Grade B
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 15th Sept, 11am-3pm
Achmelvich Coastal walk, Assynt
What are you interested in? This delightful walk through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers covers it all. Watch out for dolphins too and hear lots of stories. Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248.
Grade B/C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
Tuesday 20th Sept, 1pm-6pm
Glen Leireag to Tumore, Assynt
Explore the old route from Nedd through to Loch Assynt.
Chance of eagles, ravens, red deer, divers and moorland flowers. We have timed it to get public transport back to start.
Meet at Drumbeg Stores, NC122327.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 22nd Sept, 11am-3pm
Where did the Meteorite Crash in Assynt ?
Join us as we visit Europe’s largest known meteorite strike. Learn about the ancient landscape one billion years ago, which makes up part of the North West Highlands Geopark. Amazing views and stunning wildlife.
Meet at Clachtoll Beach car park, NC040 273.
Grade B/C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Tuesday 27th Sep 11am-4pm
Stoer Bay to Stoer Lighthouse , Assynt
Cliff top walk along magnificent scenery. Good chance of seeing dolphins, seabirds, seals and maybe otters. There is also some amazing views to see along the way.
There is no path. 7.5km
Meet at Stoer Cemetery car park, NC040 283.
Grade C
£5 Adult/£3 concessions.
Thursday 29th Sept, 11am-3pm
Achmelvich Coastal Walk, Assynt
What are you interested in? This delightful walk through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers covers it all. Watch out for dolphins too and hear lots of stories. Meet Achmelvich beach car park, NC058 248.
Grade B/C
£3 Adult/£2 concessions.
All the walks are led by one of the Rangers. It is important though that you think of your own safety and that of any children for whom you are responsible. Remember too that these are country walks in the Highland weather so please dress accordingly. Bring sturdy shoes, or boots, a picnic and a sense of fun. The Rangers reserve the right to cancel any of these events.
Walk Grades: A is easiest, D most challenging, including very rough ground and sometimes steep climbs.
Sorry watching wildlife is not usually compatible with dogs.
Costs as per walk. There are also Family rates.
For further information, contact: Highland Council Countryside Rangers, Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver IV27 4LX
Telephone: 01571 844654
Email: andy.summers@highland.gov.uk
Or visit the Assynt Tourism Group website www.assynt.info
For further information, contact: Highland Council Countryside Rangers, Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver IV27 4LX
Telephone: 01571 844654
Email: andy.summers@highland.gov.uk
Or visit the Assynt Tourism Group website www.assynt.info.