95. Achnahaird Beach

On this third and final day of my trip to the stunning north west Highlands, the plan was to spend the morning exploring the little known Coigach peninsula in Wester Ross, between Ullapool and Lochinver.  I say ‘little known’ because even the excellent Visit Coigach website describes the area as a ‘hidden corner’ of Scotland and relatively undiscovered. I researched the area extensively before my trip and I was really looking forward to working my way around the peninsula, noted for its views of the Summer Isles and its geological significance (Coigach is part of the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area and the North West Highlands Geopark). Under another beautiful cloudless sky, I set off for the 90-minute drive south of Kinlochbervie to my first stop of the day, Achnahaird beach. Whilst Coigach itself may be undiscovered, this beach is relatively well known as a Highland classic, and it deserves to be. The bay at Achnahaird is a flat north westerly facing inlet which extends for a mile from the mouth of the Allt Loch Raa and boasts stunning views of the mountains of Assynt.  On this sunny morning the tide was in, wrapping itself around a spit of sand extending from the dunes. A totally peaceful and undisturbed spot.