Explore
THE DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES OF OLDSHOREMORE AND SANDWOOD
Oldshoremore and Sandwood offer a raw and unforgettable experience on the far north-western edge of Scotland. This is a place for those seeking stunning coastal scenery, challenging hikes, and a chance to connect with the power of nature. Discover hidden coves, dramatic cliffs, and vast stretches of unspoiled beach.
Explore Oldshoremore
Embark on an adventure of discovery at Visit Sandwood and Oldshoremore. Unearth the secrets of the ancient rock formations that form part of the North West Highlands Geopark. Explore hidden coves and dramatic cliffs, then sink your toes into the vast expanse of Oldshoremore Beach.
GEOLOGICAL WONDERS
The Rock Trail
Oldshoremore is more than just a stunning beach. It’s a geological wonderland waiting to be explored. Explore our expert rock interpretation guides on site and delve into the secrets etched in the cliffs. Discover the fascinating story of the rocks, their formation, and the ancient landscapes they hold within.
A BREATHTAKING COASTAL ESCAPE
Oldshoremore Beach
Just a stone’s throw from Visit Sandwood lies Oldshoremore Beach. This expansive stretch of golden sand offers stunning coastal views and the chance to immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
Explore Sandwood Bay
Unveil the magic of Sandwood Bay, widely regarded as one of Britain’s most stunning beaches. Explore its vast expanse of pristine sand, dramatic cliffs, and the raw beauty of the Scottish coastline. Prepare to be captivated.
HIKE TO A HIDDEN PARADISE
Visit Sandwood Bay
Ready for an adventure? Walk out from your accommodation at Visit Sandwood or park your car at the Blairmore car park and embark on a scenic hike to discover Sandwood Bay.
This secluded paradise is often hailed as one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches, so prepare for breathtaking coastal views and pristine sand as your reward at the journey’s end.
Explore the North West Highlands
A land of towering peaks, dramatic coastlines, and ancient secrets awaits. Embark on an adventure through the North West Highlands, a UNESCO Geopark where rugged landscapes meet captivating history. Hike through hidden glens, explore coastal villages, and lose yourself in the raw beauty of the Scottish wilderness.
JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
North West Highlands Geopark
Unveil a landscape sculpted by millions of years in the North West Highlands Geopark. Explore a UNESCO-designated wonderland where ancient rock formations tell stories of volcanoes, shifting continents, and a rich geological heritage. Hike dramatic mountains, discover hidden fossils, and delve into a region where nature and history intertwine.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Munro bagging
The North West Highlands beckons with some of Scotland’s most rewarding hikes – Munro bagging! Munros are mountains in Scotland exceeding 3,000 feet (914 meters) in height, and conquering them offers not just bragging rights but also breathtaking panoramas.
With towering peaks, diverse landscapes, and a true sense of wilderness, the North West Highlands provides an unforgettable Munro bagging experience.
Here are some of the popular Munros to tackle in this region:
- Ben Hope: The highest peak in the north of Scotland, Ben Hope offers a challenging but rewarding climb with stunning views.
- Ben Klibreck: A Munro that offers a tough but rewarding challenge for experienced hillwalkers. The ascent involves some pathless sections and requires good navigational skills and fitness. The views from the summit are panoramic, taking in much of Sutherland and beyond.
- Ben More Assynt & Conival: The ascent of Ben More Assynt typically involves tackling Conival first, making it a fantastic two-peak adventure. Hikers can choose from various routes, some featuring sections of easy scrambling and breathtaking vistas over the surrounding landscape.
BEYOND THE MUNROS
Explore Sutherland’s peaks
Sutherland boasts a wealth of mountains waiting to be explored, offering challenges beyond the famed Munros. These peaks provide diverse adventures, from technical climbs to pathless scrambles, all rewarding you with breathtaking panoramas of the dramatic Scottish Highlands.
- Quinag: Challenge yourself by conquering the three Corbett summits – Sàil Ghorm (Blue Heel), Sàil Gharbh (Rough Heel), and Spidean Coinich (Mossy Peak) – each offering breathtaking panoramas of Sutherland and beyond.
- Suilven: Known as the “Matterhorn of Scotland” due to its pyramidal shape, Suilven offers a technical climb with exceptional views.
- Stac Pollaidh: This dramatic peak features a distinctive pointed summit and provides a challenging and rewarding climb.
- Cùl Mor: This Munro is part of the Ben Hope range and offers a challenging but rewarding climb with stunning views. The ascent involves some pathless sections and requires good navigational skills.
- Canisp: This mountain features a distinctive pointed summit and offers a challenging and rewarding climb. The ascent is pathless in sections and requires good navigational skills and experience.
A BEACHCOMBER’S PARADISE
Beaches of the North West Highlands
The North West Highlands are not just about towering peaks and dramatic landscapes. Tucked away along its rugged coastline lie some of Scotland’s most breath taking beaches. Imagine vast stretches of pristine sand, turquoise waters lapping at the shore, and dramatic cliffs framing the scene.
This coastline beckons beachcombers, surfers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an escape from the ordinary. Unveil the magic of the North West Highlands, one grain of sand at a time.
Here are some of the popular beaches to enjoy in this region:
- Sandwood Bay: Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, Sandwood Bay is a hidden gem accessible by a scenic four-mile walk. The vast expanse of golden sand, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters make it a paradise.
- Oldshoremore Beach: A haven for beachcombers and nature enthusiasts. Explore hidden coves and vast stretches of golden sand, and soak in the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
- Achmelvich Bay: Nestled in a tranquil bay, Achmelvich Beach boasts pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. Explore the rock pools teeming with life, take a boat trip, or simply relax on the shore and soak in the stunning scenery.
- Clachtoll Beach: Clachtoll Beach is known for its dramatic scenery and unique pebble stacks, formed by the relentless pounding of waves over millions of years. Explore hidden caves, spot marine wildlife, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the tranquility of the location.
- Melvich Beach: Backed by rolling sand dunes, Melvich Beach offers a haven for families and watersports enthusiasts. Build sandcastles, go for a swim in the refreshing waters, or try your hand at surfing or kayaking.
- Durness Beach: Durness Beach is a vast expanse of golden sand, perfect for long walks, relaxing on the shore, or exploring the dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye out for fossils and interesting rock pools teeming with life.
Tours and activities
Tours offer the opportunity to venture beyond the usual tourist spots and discover hidden gems. Kayak along remote coastlines, explore secret waterfalls, or embark on wildlife safaris to spot eagles, dolphins, and other incredible creatures.
SCOTLAND’S MOST NORTH-WESTERLY POINT
Visit Cape Wrath lighthouse
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to the wildest corner of Britain with a Cape Wrath tour. Explore the dramatic landscapes, rich history, and untamed beauty of Cape Wrath, the most northwesterly point of mainland Scotland.
Tours operate 7 days a week May-September.
DELVE INTO THE DEPTHS
Smoo Cave tours
Journey beneath the earth and discover a hidden wonder with Smoo Cave tours. Explore the largest sea cave in Britain, a majestic cavern sculpted by nature over millions of years. Smoo Cave offers a unique and unforgettable experience for all ages.
EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER WORLD
Dive KLB
Embark on an unforgettable underwater adventure with Dive KLB, a leading scuba diving operator based in Kinlochbervie, Scotland. Dive KLB offers unparalleled access to the dramatic coastlines and rich marine life of the North West Highlands, a haven for experienced divers and curious beginners alike.
DELVE INTO THE DEPTHS
North West Sea Tours
Unveil hidden coves, witness towering cliffs, and encounter playful wildlife on unforgettable boat tours. North West Sea Tours cater to all interests, offering thrilling adventures and awe-inspiring sightseeing experiences.
FERRY TO A SEABIRD PARADISE
Handa Island ferry
Set sail for an unforgettable wildlife adventure with the Handa Island ferry. This pedestrian-only ferry whisks you away to a captivating island sanctuary teeming with seabirds and dramatic scenery.
Witness puffin colonies, explore a fascinating island reserve, and create lasting memories on Handa Island.
Visitor attractions and sightseeing
As well as tours and activities there are plenty of places to explore the north west highlands by foot, bike or vehicle. Here are some favourite suggestions from the region:
- Ardvreck Castle: A haunting 15th-century ruin perched on a small penninsula overlooking Loch Assynt. Explore its crumbling towers, imagine life on the rugged Scottish land, and soak in the dramatic views.
- The Rock Stop: This isn’t just a cafe – it’s your gateway to exploring the wonders of the North West Highlands. Nestled amidst breathtaking scenery, The Rock Stop offers a warm welcome, delicious refreshments, and all the information you need to embark on an unforgettable adventure.
- Highland Stoneware: Handcrafted in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, each piece captures the essence of the region’s rugged beauty and rich heritage.
- The Bone Caves at Inchnadamph: Explore a series of natural caves that were once home to prehistoric animals like bears, wolves, and even mammoths.
- Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve: Explore the Moine Thrust, a dramatic rock formation created when two continents smashed together millions of years ago. Walk in the footsteps of pioneering geologists who unraveled this scientific mystery right here at Knockan Crag.
- Drumbeg Loop: Wind your way through breathtaking landscapes of the North West Highlands, while also encountering remnants of the region’s rich history.
- Stoer Lighthouse: Perched atop a dramatic cliff on the northwest tip of Sutherland, Stoer Lighthouse stands as a majestic symbol of human ingenuity and a testament to the power of nature.
- Kylesku Bridge: The Kylesku Bridge gracefully arches over Loch Kyle, offering breathtaking views as you cross from Sutherland to Assynt. Pull over at designated viewpoints to capture stunning photos and soak in the panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and the sparkling loch below.
- Clashnessie Falls: Tucked away off the beaten path, Clashnessie Falls is a haven for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature.
- Clachtoll Broch: This remarkably well-preserved Iron Age broch, a unique type of tower house, offers a glimpse into the lives of ancient inhabitants who called the North West Highlands home over 2,000 years ago.
- Balnakeil Craft Village: Explore a collection of individual workshops housed in converted Cold War-era buildings. Each space brims with the work of skilled artisans showcasing their passion and artistry. Find one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t encounter anywhere else.
- Castle Varrich: Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Kyle of Tongue, Castle Varrich is a captivating ruin steeped in history and shrouded in mystery.
Looking for more suggestions?
Our staff at Visit Sandwood will be happy to help you with tailored suggestions for your trip based on your personal interests, both for our local surrounding area and further across the north highlands and beyond. You truly will find a unique and memorable holiday when you visit the north west highlands!