Walking and Climbing

Hill walkers will be familiar with our local mountains which provide some rewarding days out - Quinag, Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mohr and Stac Pollaidh, in addition to our one 'munro' - Ben Mohr Assynt. Further north are Ben Stack, Arkle and Foinhaven, with Ben Hope and Ben Loyal along the North Coast.

Lower level walks include the walk to the top of our highest waterfall, Eas Coul Aulinn; the walk from Kylestrome to the head of Loch Glendhu, or alternatively from Kylestrome on the Stalkers' Track round Ben Strome and back down past the Maldie Burn - visible across the loch from Maryck.

Coast and Beaches

A favourite coastal walk is from Stoer Lighthouse to the stack, the Old Man of Stoer, where numerous seabirds nest on the cliffs. To see even more birds, take the ferry boat from Tarbet to Handa Island, home to hundreds of thousands of birds including the icon Puffin, cared for by the Scottish Wildlife Trust - available April to first week in September.

Woodland walks can be found at Lochinver, and from Inverkirkaig up to the Kirkaig Falls. Everyone should take the winding coastal route between Lochinver and Kylesku where you pass several beautiful sandy bays - Achmelvich, Clachtoll and Clashnessie. There is even a snorkel trail in the north west for those who fancy a look beneath the waves.

North Coast

Further north are more wonderful beaches and walks - the famous Sandwood Bay, or if you are not so energetic, the delightful Oldshoremore. At Durness you can explore Smoo Cave and Balnakeil Bay, where you can walk across to Faraid Head and find the puffins. Or, take the ferry across to Cape Wrath, where a minibus will take you 11 miles to the lighthouse - Ministry of Defence permitting!

All at Sea

There are a number on boat tours along the coast and the seas on the north west can offer a vast array of an amazing life. There are large nesting sites on a number of the islands and coast, and we also have White Tailed Sea Eagles (and Golden Eagles usually inland). At sea we have porpoise, seals, dolphin and whales. We even get basking sharks and Orca migrating through the area. For a lazier day, take the Kylesku Boat Tours (bookings via the Kylesku Hotel), which most days between May and September goes up Loch Glencoul, to see the seals and their pups (June onwards), see Eas a Chual Aluinn the highest waterfall in the UK, geological formations unique to the area, and on occasion, the golden eagle in flight. In Lochinver Inver Cruises go out and around the coast to Achmelvich, often encountering seals and dolphin.

Relax

And of course, if you just want to relax, this is a great area to do it. Get away from everything and enjoy the Highland pace of life.And remember, we have lots of great places to stop, eat and drink.

• The Eddrachilles Hotel (restaurant must be booked);
• The Scourie Hotel, restaurant and bar meals, Scourie;
• The Anchorage Restaurant (and bar), Scourie;
• The Shorehouse, Tarbet.

To the south and west:

• Peet's Restaurant, Lochinver
• The Caberfeidh, Lochinver
• The Lochinver Larder, famous for their pies.