Watch and wait The power of plants The diversity of wildlife within the Geopark is breathtaking. Ask Sweet gale or bog myrtle grows naturally in the Geopark and has local guides or consult our website to fi nd out about the best a long history of human use. Vikings were reputed to have used it places and seasons for watching animals and birds in their natural as a stimulant before battle, it’s been used instead of hops to make environment. You can also catch your own wild game such as beer and it’s even said to cure ulcers, intestinal worms, aching salmon or brown trout – but make sure you obtain the necessary muscles – and ward off insects. Now the antibacterial qualities of permits fi rst. Animals and birds you may see around the Geopark: the plant’s essential oils are being researched and developed to badger, stoat, weasel, pine marten, fox, hare, otter, red deer create skin products. and roe deer The geology of the north west Highlands provides the right whale species, porpoise, seal, basking shark and dolphin conditions for certain rare pants to thrive. Limestone encourages golden eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey, heron, willow warbler, the growth of mountain avens and globe fl ower while peatland wren, redpoll, redwing, sandpiper, oystercatcher, black- areas such as the classic ‘cnoc and lochan’ landscapes found throated diver around Eddrachilles support sphagnum mosses, sundew, cranberry European Geoparks Network North West Highlands Geopark is and bogbean. part of a global network of territories defi ned by their outstanding To fi nd out more about rare species and the way plants have geological features, forward-thinking local communities and unique natural and cultural heritage. www.europeangeoparks.org www.pelican-design.com been used over centuries by communities in the Geopark, go to www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk Eddrachilles: Kinlochbervie, Handa & Scourie www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk Photography courtesy of Sutherland Partnership, Iain Sarjeant, British Geological Survey, 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 Trunk roads A87 Balnakiel Durness Sandwood Smoo Cave A851 Bay Durness A roads Visitor Sandwood Centre / Sango Bay ll Loch o ib B and other roads r E Talmine h Bettyhill Railway c A838 o To help you get around, North West Highlands anemone, snake blenny, sea cucumbers, heart-urchins, and Vehicle ferry L Hope GeoparkA838 is divided into four areas. beds of maerl. Oldshoremore beach Loch Eriboll (all year / seasonal) Kinlochbervie Tongue .801 Some of the must see attractions in and around Loch Stack and Arkle Arkle lies to the north of Loch Cranstackie Passenger ferry Eriboll Kinlochbervie, Handa and Scourie: r Stack and owes its distinctive appearance to Cambrian e Achagary (all year / seasonal) v quartzite rock. Loch Stack provides a habitat for birds such a 911 as the black-throated diver, greenshank, dipper, curlew and . 927 N . 0 5 10 Miles Loch Laxford Foinaven snipe. A 721m climb, Ben Stack offers fantastic views over Ben . 765 h Handa Island Hope t Tarbet Ben a Loch Stack and across to Arkle. Bird Reserve r Loyal t . 786 S 0 5 10 15 20 Kms A838 Kerrachar Gardens Tranquil and secluded, a trip by Arkle boat to Kerrachar Gardens is an education in how plant life Scourie Loch Stack Syre 721 . can flourish in coastal areas. The croft land is part of an area ©2007 Wendy Price Cartographic Services. Reproduced by permission A894 of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2007. Ben Stack managed by the Assynt Crofters Trust which pioneered All rights reserved. Highland Council ????????? Loch a' Mhuilinn National Nature Reserve community land ownership in the Highlands of Scotland. Point of Stoer A836 Kinlochbervie & Oldshoremore Prehistoric Old Man of Stoer Kerrachar Gardens Kylestrome archaeological sites, rare machair plants, spectacular 757. Altnaharra Drumbeg Kinloch Ben Hee mountain views and accessible beaches make the harbour Loch Glencoul town of Kinlochbervie an attractive year-round destination 809 792 962 and the starting point for a trip to Sandwood Bay. B869 Clashnessie . Ben Quinag Ben Leoid Clachtoll Kilbreck Sandwood Bay Enjoy the walk to secluded and stunning Little Assynt Eas a' Chual Aluinn A837 (waterfall) Sandwood Bay. Pass freshwater lochs populated by brown Achmelvich Bay Ardvreck Castle trout before arriving at a mile of perfect sandy beach. Lochinver Loch Inchnadamph A836 Assynt Visitor Centre Assynt Culag Woods A837 Inchnadamph Inverkirkaig National 998 . A838 847EncompassingNature reserv2000e Bensq Morekm Handa Island Bird Reserve Catch the boat from Rubha Coigach Falls of Kirkaig . Canisp Bone Caves Assynt Suilven of thriving bird, plant and Tarbet, and sail to a remarkable island where 200,000 731 Reiff sea cliffs animal habitats, North West G seabirds come to breed. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins and Rahayu (rock climbing) Brae of Garvie Bay l Achnahaird Highlands Geopark offers one e Loch great skuas fill the skies above Torridonian sandstone cliffs. a raven swings and rolls n of the bestLedmore opportunities to Shin Handa Island is one of the UK’s most important breeding Old Dornie Harbour Achnahaird Beach . 849 C r a crooning craw-croo Inverpolly Forest a S o 613 Cul Mor explore wildlife in Europe. grounds for a range of seabirds. t B r . Elphin s r soaring between layers Badentarbat Pier Hydroponicum Stac Polly A837 s a t h (Summer Isles Cruises) Achiltibuie Smokehouse . 769 Knockan Crag l Loch Glencoul and Eas a’ Chual Aluinn Waterfall Wild world e of light and flow Achiltibuie Cul Beag Visitor Centre Achlochan Broch y Look out for Lairgseals and otters as you journey on foot from A journey to the Geopark takes you all we need to know SUMMER Loch Gainmhich or by boat from Kylescu to Eas a’ Chual Culnacraig right to the heart of one of the last A839 the old man says ISLES . 743 Gruids Ben Mor Aluinn waterfall. At 200m, this is the highest waterfall in Achlduart great wilderness areas in northernOykel is how to be rahayu A835 Rosehall Coigach Bridge Britain. Stop at the Rock Route viewing Pittentrailpoint for an insight Postie Path Bhlughasary Europe. Charter a boat or hire a grateful for this moment Dun Canna into howA839 the world famous Glencoul Thrust was formed. kayak, travel by car, cycle, camper Altass Mellon for silver clouds in the relentless sky Udrigle van or on foot and enjoy great Loch a’ MhuilinnA836 National Nature Reserve The and this black wheeling curve of bird GRUINARD landscapes, see unique geological most northernInvershin remnant of native oak woodland in Britain, ISLAND Ullapool formations and discover one of the Loch a’ Mhuilinn features grassland, peatbog, freshwater best breeding sites for seabirds in and seashore habitatsBonar populated by rare plants and plentiful From Letting Light In by Mandy Haggith, Mellon Bridge Charles the UK. wildlife including otters. a poet living in Achmelvich Cove Spinigdale Badcaul Loch LaxfordArdgay The large shallowA949 inlets of Loch Laxford Aultbea Little are home to a multitude of marine species including Gruinard Melvaig Dundonnell Inverlael An Teallach. 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 Kinlochewe o c r h Diabaig Alligan 1010 B9163 B9160 T . A832 Garve C o . Dingwall A862 rr 985 id Beinn Eighe Achnasheen BLACK o n Strathpeffer ISLE Torridon A834 Fortrose Contin Conon Munlochy A832 A890 Bridge Shieldaig Loch Tore Damh.