As you head south from Durness, heather gradually gives way to a rockier landscape of Lewisian gneiss pockmarked with hundreds of small lochans. This is the most interesting zone geologically in the UK, with Britain's oldest rock. Next come gorse-covered hills prefacing the magnificent Torridonian sandstone mountains of Assynt and Coigach, including Suilven's distinctive sugarloaf, ziggurat-like Quinag and pinnacled Stac Pollaidh. This area has been named as the Northwest Highlands Geopark.
Northwest Highlands Geopark
Top choice in North & West Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
21.3 MILES
South of Cape Wrath, Sandwood Bay boasts one of Scotland’s best and most isolated beaches, guarded at one end by the spectacular rock pinnacle Am…
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A mile east of the centre of Durness is a path down to Smoo Cave. From the vast main chamber, you can head through to a smaller flooded cavern where a…
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Housed in a converted Telford church, this museum relates the prehistoric, natural and social history of the town and Lochbroom area, with a particular…
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On the opposite side of the river from Lairg's town centre (follow the sheep signs), this visitor centre has displays on local history and wildlife and…
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This community-run gallery stages changing exhibitions of works by Highland artists, from paintings and photography to ceramics and textiles. Opening…
Nearby North & West Coast attractions
6.56 MILES
Five miles southeast of Kylesku, in wild, remote country, lies 213m-high Eas a’Chual Aluinn, Britain’s highest waterfall. You can hike to the top of the…
2. Handa Island Nature Reserve
10.9 MILES
A few miles north of Scourie Bay lies this nature reserve run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The island's western sea cliffs provide nesting sites for…
21.3 MILES
South of Cape Wrath, Sandwood Bay boasts one of Scotland’s best and most isolated beaches, guarded at one end by the spectacular rock pinnacle Am…
23.29 MILES
This community-run gallery stages changing exhibitions of works by Highland artists, from paintings and photography to ceramics and textiles. Opening…
23.31 MILES
Housed in a converted Telford church, this museum relates the prehistoric, natural and social history of the town and Lochbroom area, with a particular…
26.85 MILES
A mile east of the centre of Durness is a path down to Smoo Cave. From the vast main chamber, you can head through to a smaller flooded cavern where a…
29.22 MILES
On the opposite side of the river from Lairg's town centre (follow the sheep signs), this visitor centre has displays on local history and wildlife and…