Welcome to Invercassley Cottage

Beaches can be found around all three coasts of Sutherland, with spectacular white sand and often completely deserted even in peak holiday season. Many of these beaches are award winning and meet European Blue flag standards. On the East coast there are the wide-open sands of Dornoch, Golspie and Embo. On the West coast are the more secluded beaches of Acmelvich and Clachtol, near Lochinver, and Oldmanshore near Kinlochbervie. An 8km hike across open moorland gives you the reward of the isolated beach at Sandwood Bay, which come complete with a derelict haunted cottage. North coast beaches include: Durness, Coldbackie, Farr, Strathy, and Melvich, many of these at the right time of the year can provide good conditions for surfing.

There are a huge number of bird species in the area from: waders, ducks and geese, game birds, migratory species and raptors. An impressive day trip is to the bird sanctuary of Handa Island [link], reached by boat from Tarbet on the West coast. Here you will see many thousands of sea birds including razorbills, guillemots, skuas, and puffins often at close quarters. The setting and spectacular scenery of dramatic cliffs make it a full day out, but don't forget to take your packed lunch and anything you might need for a day visit, as there are no facilities on the island. (However we do recommend the restaurant at the landing station at Tarbet, good fish dishes and wonderful scones and hot chocolate!).

All over the Sutherland area there are many RSPB sites and bird watching hides, a guide to them all can be found at the cottage.

Please click on the birds and wildlife link to see a list of the birds seen at the cottage and in the area.

Canadian Canoeing is available from Wild Rides of Bonar Bridge [link] who offer minibus pick up and drop off, and the hire of canoe and all equipment required for a relaxing trip along the calm Kyle of Sutherland, with a route from Rosehall to Bonar Bridge. Canoes are available for individuals and families.

Visit the world famous bone caves and underground rivers at Inchnadamph. The limestone Smoo caves at Durness [link] feature three underground caverns, and can be entered by walkway or boat. Forsinard [link] is one of the last remaining peat bog areas in Europe, and is now a bird reserve. Visit the Corrieshalloch Gorge [link] near Ullapool which is an incredible feat of nature at 1 mile long and 200 feet deep. The Old Man of Stoer is an impressive sea stack reached by a tricky 3km walk from Stoer lighthouse.

There are lots of small visitors attractions in the area. Please use the information files in the cottage or visit local Tourist Information Centre (the nearest is in Lairg or Ullapool). For a great family day out visit Landmark, near Aviemore, with activities, rides and treetop walks set in a woodland setting.

Trout fishing is available on many rivers and hill lochs, with permits normally being available from local shops and hotels. Lairg Angling Club has fishing rights on Loch Shin, and has boats available for hire.

Visit the formal gardens of Dunrobin castle. Boats to Kerracher Gardens are available from Kylesku during the summer months. An hour past Corrieshalloch, you will find Inverewe Gardens [link], which is warmed by the Gulf stream, and grows many unusual species from around the world.

Take to the air with the Cairngorm Gliding Club [link]. Flights available above the Cairngorm mountain range for both experienced and novices glider pilots. Trial lesson flights are available for the complete beginner either directly through the club or using gift vouchers from the Bristish Gliding Association.

There are many golf courses in the area, most of which allow guest players. There are nine-hole courses at Bonar Bridge, Ullapool and Durness, which has a spectacular 4th hole that crosses over the cliffs of a sea inlet. There are 18-hole courses at Tain, Golspie, Brora and the world famous Royal Dornoch championship course.

Throughout the summer months most of the local towns and villages host Highland Games, the largest and best known is at Lochinver, and the last of the season is held at Bonar Bridge in September. All the Highland activities are covered from dancing and bagpipe playing to tossing the caber. There is always a wide range of competitions that are open to locals and visitors alike, and along with a range of side stalls are a great fun day out.

The Highlands is steeped in history from many generations from brochs, standing stones, stone circles and sites of archeological interest right up to evidence of the notorious Highland clearances. Visit the clearance village at Rossal, and the famous church at Croick, where evicted tenants carved their names into the glass windows. Visit the site of the famous Scottish victory over the English, at Colluden battlefield near Inverness [link].

Wild Rides at Bonar Bridge [link] offer a wide range of pony trekking from 1 and 2 hour rides to half and full day treks. They have horses for all abilities, including complete beginners, and the rides are all off road often going up into the hills for spectacular views. All equipment is provided.

There is a wide range of opportunities for the more active visitors, from gentle strolls along wooded glens and riverbanks, to long distance walks, Munro bagging and serious mountain climbing. Munros in the area are Ben Hope, Ben Kilbreck, and Ben More Assynt with several more to be found in the neighbouring county of Wester Ross. Mountains are Canisp, Cul More, Cul Beag, Ben Loyal, Foinaven Arkle, and the spectacular Suilven. For those who do not want the challenge of scaling these peaks on foot, the Cairngorm Mountain railway at Aviemore offers an effortless tip to the top of the mountains, with the chance to walk out on the slopes and admire the views. Rosehall has its own set of walking trails; as does local town Lairg, see web sites www.rosehallhighlands.co.uk and www.lairghighlands.co.uk. Many of the areas of Forestry Commission land also have marked trails; a guide to these walks can be found at the cottage. The West Sutherland Walking group has compiled several books of walks in the area from 1-2 hours to all day walks, again both these books are available at the cottage. May we also recommend the website www.bestwalks.com which not only gives recommended walk routes, but sells a wide range of books and maps, and walking equipment. Don't forget that deer stalking takes place in many areas of the Highlands during the latter part of the year and care should be taken when walking off road. Most estates will give you information about when and where not to go walking or climbing.

The scenery in the Sutherland area is truly breathtaking, and ever changing throughout the county. Its hills, mountains, rugged cliffs, marshlands, beaches and the added attractions of rivers, lochs, and waterfalls mean there is something for everyone. With a wealth of wildlife around every corner there are always spectacular views to be admired whatever the Scottish weather. Don't forget you can also visit the most northerly point of the British mainland whilst here.

Apart from the other activities listed, skiing and snowboarding are available at Aviemore, when snow is available. There are many local swimming pools, football pitches and tennis courts in the area, the nearest at Lairg.

Salmon can be seen leaping at the Achness, Shin and Glenmiuck falls. There is a marked walk to the spectacular Falls of Kirkraig. The Eas-coul-aulin falls; the highest waterfall in Britain can be seen from a boat trip from Kylesku. The 150 feet Falls of Measach can be viewed at Corrieshalloch Gorge near Ullapool.

The Highlands has a wealth of wildlife much of which cannot be seen anywhere else in the country. The nature of the countryside, low population density and the proximity of the road network to the animals natural habitat mean close range sightings are very common. From Pine Martens in the woods, Otters in lochs and coastal inlets, Red, Sika and Roe Deer on the hills, to Dolphins and Porpoises on the coast Scotland is a wildlife lover's haven. There are many organizations that offer wildlife trips, from Dolphin watching trips at Avoch and Inverness, to Pine Marten feeding at Rothemurcus Estate near Aviemore. The local highland rangers often run discovery sessions, wildlife walks and wildlife watching trips especially during school holidays. Contact local Tourist Information Centres for details. Click on the wildlife link to view a list of the wildlife seen both at the cottage and in the local area.

The Highland Wildlife Park [link] at Kingussie offers a wide range of European wildlife on a drive through safari, and the chance to get close to several species including a pack of wolves. The Black Isle Wildlife Park offer a wildlife visit on a smaller scale, and perhaps aimed at a younger age family group.