THE SMITHY HOUSE
& COTTAGES
LOCAL AREA
The Smithy House & Cottages make an excellent base for exploring the North West Highlands and there is certainly a lot to see, do and explore in the immediate area - or a lot not to do if you're considering a relaxing break with us! We definitely recommend a minimum two or three night stay with us to allow you the time to see everything our area has to offer at a leisurely pace - after all, this is the North West Highlands of Scotland and one of the remotest places in Europe - it's not to be rushed!
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The images below are all located within a thirty minute drive of the cottages (and some are walking distance or literally on your doorstep!), and these just serve as a planning starting point for your stay in Stoer - there is so much more to see and do and we're more than happy for you to contact us if you have any questions or need suggestions about the local area.
Suilven Sunrise
The iconic silhouette of Suilven at 731m high dominates the Assynt skyline. The views from the top are out of this world
River Inver at Lochinver
The River Inver runs from Loch Assynt to the sea at Lochinver. A pleasant walk along the river - park in the laybys just as you enter the village
Bay of Stoer
A short walk or just a few minutes drive from the Smithy House is Bay of Stoer. Often deserted compared with it's neighbours at Clachtoll, Achmelvich and Clashnessie
Northern Lights at Stoer
In an official Dark Sky Area, the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are regular visitors to the area, mostly between November and March. Although this photo taken in front of the Smithy House was taken in September
Midnight Sunsets
A midnight sunset taken in front of the Smithy House in June. The sunsets at this time of year seem to last all night and can be seen right in front of the Smithy House
Assynt Landscape
A typical landscape as seen from the Drumbeg Loop or Assynt Coastal Route - one of Europe's last remote wildernesses where there are more deer than people
Achmelvich Beach
A short 15-20 minute drive from the Smithy House is the renowned Achmelvich Beach, a popular waterports beach in the summer - don't forget to check out Vestey's Beach just around the headland. Lesser known and generally far quieter than its neighbour
Milky Way at Stoer
The area is an official Dark Sky Area and the night skies are remarkable with thousands of stars visible. The Milky Way passes right over the Smithy House and this photo was taken from the gardens
Clashnessie Beach
A short walk or just a few minutes drive from the Smithy House is the expansive Clashnessie Beach. Clashnessie Falls are just up from here and make a good excursion from the cottages
Clashnessie Falls
The path to the Falls is just on the right as you walk/drive down to Clashnessie Beach - or walk there following the cairns at the back of the Smithy House for some tremendous views of Assynt
Ardvreck Castle
A short drive from the Smithy House sits the now ruinous remains of Ardvreck Castle dating back to the 15th century, then built for the MacLeods of Assynt
Stoerhead Lighthouse
Built in 1870, the lighthouse is a short drive from the Smithy House. On clear days you can see the Outer Hebrides, the Cullins of Skye and Torridon mountain range in the distance
Clachtoll Beach
A short walk or drive from the Smithy House is the stunning Clachtoll Beach, a popular shallow and sheltered bay just down the road
Knockan Crag
Situated in the North West Highlands Geological Park, visit Knockan Crag to discover three billion years of history - along with some of the best views the region has to offer
Loch Assynt
Drive or walk along the edges of Loch Assynt, a 6 mile long freshwater loch situated in a spectacular setting between the heights of Canisp, Quinag, and Beinn Uidhe
Drumbeg Viewpoint
Just long the road from the Smithy House, the Drumbeg viewpoint offers a fantastic view of the north facing coast of Assynt, looking out across Eddrachillis Bay to Handa Island and mainland Sutherland
The Bone Caves
This beautiful and popular walk leads up a limestone valley to visit the dramatic Bone Caves. These cave openings on a steep slope at the foot of a cliff have been excavated and were found to contain the remains of species such as lynx, reindeer and polar bear which once roamed the area
Wailing Widow Falls
One of Scotland's most stunning natural waterfalls, the Wailing Widow Falls has a fifty-foot-high drop down from Loch na Gainmhich and can be found a short walk from the A894
Kylesku Bridge
Opened in 1984 and measuring 276 metres in length, the bridge is 'A' listed and probably one of the most iconic and photographed bridges on the NC500 route
B869 Road
The twisting and winding predominantly single-track road running from Lochinver to Unapool is 22 miles long and is said to be one of the most scenic roads in the country. Take your time, use passing places and enjoy the spectacular views with every turn