How will you travel? A geological jigsaw puzzle Catch a fl ight or take a train to , journey through Follow in the footsteps of 19th century rock and fossil friendly villages and wild open spaces by car, camper van, cycle, hunters and look for the evidence that puzzled and motorbike, public transport – or a combination of these! Don’t fascinated geologists for decades. One of the most famous forget that some natural attractions can only be accessed on geological features on earth runs through the Geopark and foot or by sea. Experience spectacular coastal views from a is known as The Moine Thrust. Working out how this different perspective by booking a diving charter or sailing to major fault developed helped geologists understand how offshore islands. Enlist the help of expert local guides to help the world’s great mountain ranges were formed. Learn you navigate the mountain landscape, pinpoint rare plant and more at Visitor Centre, on walks led by local animal species and understand the fascinating cultural heritage Council Countryside Rangers or by following one of communities within the Geopark. of Knockan Crag’s Rock Routes through Eddrachilles, or . Find out about the fi erce debate, the geologists European Geoparks Network North West Highlands Geopark is who dedicated their working lives to solving the puzzle and part of a global network of territories defi ned by their outstanding the legacy they left behind. geological features, forward-thinking local communities and unique natural and cultural heritage. www.europeangeoparks.org www.knockan-crag.co.uk www.pelican-design.com

Photography courtesy of Partnership, Iain Sarjeant, The Highland Council Ranger Service : Moine, Eriboll, Durness & www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk and Scottish Natural Heritage. Map artwork © 2007 Wendy Price Cartographic Services. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Geopark Boundary Petrol Station Tourist Information Centres Boat Trips Beach Restaurant / bistro Points of interest

Cape Wrath

Faraid Head To help you get around, North West Highlands Countryside Ranger service to help you make the most of Geopark is divided into four areas. your trip. Trunk roads A87 Balnakiel Durness Some of the must see attractions in and around 16 km long and descending to 60 fathoms, Sandwood Smoo Cave A851 Bay Durness Moine, Eriboll, Durness and Balnakeil: Loch Eriboll is an impressive deep sea loch with a long A roads Visitor Sandwood Centre / Sango Bay ll history as a naval anchorage. Visit a 2000 year old Iron Age Loch o ib B and other roads r wheelhouse, high on the hillside on the west side of the E Talmine loch. h Bettyhill Railway c A838 o Vehicle ferry L Hope A838 Smoo Cave Underground pools, cavernous limestone beach Loch Eriboll (all year / seasonal) Tongue ceilings, local legends, traces of human habitation stretching

.801 back thousands of years – don’t miss Smoo Cave. The cave Cranstackie Passenger ferry Eriboll r e Achagary is so big that audience events are sometimes held here.

(all year / seasonal) v

a Check the website for details. 911 . 927 N . 0 5 10 Miles Loch Sango Bay Above the sands of Sango Bay lie the best Ben . 765 h Handa Island Hope t exposed outcrops of the Moine Thrust. A geologists Tarbet Ben a Bird Reserve r Loyal t paradise, this is a spectacular place to view geological . 786 S 0 5 10 15 20 Kms A838 features. Scourie Loch Stack Syre 721 . Foinaven At a height of 911m, Foinaven and the ©2007 Wendy Price Cartographic Services. Reproduced by permission A894 of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2007. Ben Stack surrounding peaks offer adventurous climbing opportunities. All rights reserved. Highland Council ????????? Loch a' Mhuilinn National Nature Reserve It’s worth the effort for the panoramic views and sightings of Point of birds of prey alone. Remember to check weather conditions Stoer A836 Old Man of Stoer Kerrachar Gardens Kylestrome and make sure you are well-equipped for the climb before 757. Drumbeg Kinloch setting out. Ben Hee Loch Glencoul 809 792 962 B869 Clashnessie . Stunning. mountain Durness. Visitor Centre An ideal place to start exploring Ben Ben Leoid Clachtoll landscapes… andKilbreck also the base for the local Highland Council Countryside Little Assynt Eas a' Chual Aluinn What’s in a name? A837 (waterfall) Ranger. Examine rocks from the Geopark in detail and enjoy Achmelvich Bay Clean sandy beaches… Ardvreck Castle displays on geology, local history and wildlife. Find out about Place names are vital clues to understanding landscape. Ancient settlements… Assynt Visitor Centre Loch Inchnadamph A836 local events, entertainment and children’s activities. It won’t surprise you to learn that a huge number of Assynt Culag Woods ThrivingA837 Inchnadamph present day place names in the area refer to rock features. Some Inverkirkaig National 998 Cape Wrath Take a breathtaking trip to the most north . A838 are of Old Norse derivation but most are in the Gaelic .847 communities…Nature reserve Rubha Coigach Falls of Kirkaig westerly point in the British Isles by ferry and bus or on foot. . Bone Caves Assynt language and describe the myriad qualities, uses, location Encompassing 2000 sq km of Because it is used as a military range the area is uninhabited Reiff sea cliffs 731 G – and beauty – of rock.

(rock climbing) Brae of dramatic scenery, North Westl Garvie Bay – and truly wild! Achnahaird e Loch The Moine comes from the Gaelic A Mhòine meaning Highlands Geopark offers onen of Ledmore Shin Achnahaird Beach Balnakeil church & craft village Adjacent to the peaty moorland. Travelling from the Kyle of Tongue Old Dornie Harbour . 849 the best opportunities to exploreC o r a Inverpolly Forest Cul Mor a sands of Balnakeil Bay is aS church foundedr by St Maelrubha 613 . s t B through the northern gateway to the Geopark, you’ll Elphin wild places in Europe. r a h Badentarbat Pier Hydroponicum Stac Polly A837 s in 722. Walk among gravestonest that tell of villains, poets, (Summer Isles Cruises) Achiltibuie Smokehouse . 769 Knockan Crag l see a spectacular high moorland surrounded by e Achiltibuie Cul Beag Visitor Centre Achlochan Broch Mapping your journey y clansLairg and shipwrecks. Visit the colourful craft village and view mountains with views to the Orkney Islands in the

SUMMER inspirational artworks by local artists and craftspeople. north. This is A Mhòine, the moorland that gave its Culnacraig Benefit from centuries of work A839 ISLES . 743 Gruids name to the famous Moine Thrust. Here, geologists Ben Mor Achlduart carried out by intrepidOykel geologists, Jutting into the North Atlantic Ocean, Faraid A835 Rosehall Coigach Bridge Pittentrail first studied the phenomenon that pushed rocks up to Postie Path mariners and geographers by Head is characterised by undulating sand dunes, coastal Bhlughasary A839 100km westwards, a process that generated intense Dun Canna planning your journey with specially Altass grasses and a gorgeous beach and is an excellent place to Mellon heat and changed the rocks from sandstone into schists. Udrigle designed, easy-to-follow maps. see theA836 Scottish primrose. Ask about the Highland Council These rocks are also named after A Mhòine and are GRUINARD Invershin ISLAND known as Moine Rocks. Bonar Mellon Bridge Charles Cove Spinigdale Badcaul Ardgay A949 Aultbea Little Gruinard Melvaig Dundonnell Inverlael . B8057 1082 Beinn Edderton Dearg. Fionn 1081 Poolewe Braemore Loch A832 B8021

Gairloch Loch A835 Maree A832 Lochan 1093 Loch Fada . Loch Glass A9 Sgurr Glascarnoch Alness B8056 Mor Talladale Ben .Wyvis Redpoint Loch 1046 Evanton r t hInvergordon Fannich F i y r t a L Beinn m o Lower o c r h Alligan 1010 B9163 B9160 T . A832 Garve C o . Dingwall A862 rr 985 id Achnasheen BLACK o n Strathpeffer ISLE A834 Fortrose

Contin Conon Munlochy A832 A890 Bridge Loch Tore Damh