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The Far North-West - tour description
Perhaps the most outstanding mountain scenery on the British mainland
is to be found near Scotland’s north-western tip, in the districts of
Assynt and Coigach. Here you will find a primeval landscape, with western
Europe’s oldest rocks (the gnarled and twisted 2500 million-year-old Lewisian
gneisses) exposed at the surface. 1000 million years ago torrential rivers
flowed eastwards from a mountain range in what is now Labrador (this was
long before there was an Atlantic ocean) to bury the ancient gneisses
under a layer of sand a kilometre or so thick. The eroded remnants of
this layer of sand now form precipitous monadnocks (isolated remnant hills)
of red sandstone resting on the once again exposed basement of gneiss.
These sandstone peaks, with names such as Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Cul
Mor and Stac Polly, now dominate the landscape. On the lower ground myriad
lakes fill irregular hollows in the gneisses. To the west, rocky headlands
alternate with deserted beaches. Most inhabitants live near the coast
in traditional settlements of ‘crofts’ (rented smallholdings) such as
Achiltibuie, or in the fishing villages of Ullapool and Lochinver. Our
tour starts at Ullapool (2 nights), from where ferries leave for the Outer
Hebrides. Newly-constructed and well-maintained paths and trails allow
easy access on foot into the hills. Some of the trails, such as the celebrated
Knockan Crag geological trail, require a short journey by local bus to
reach the trailhead (we provide timetables). Moving on to Achiltibuie,
there is an opportunity to hike up Stac Polly peak (just over 2000 feet);
to reach the highest point involves scrambling but all fit walkers can
reach the summit ridge and admire the extraordinary view. Achiltibiue
overlooks the fabled ‘Summer Isles’, to which boat trips are available
(not Sundays). Our route continues north along the narrow winding coast
road to Lochinver, from there is a wide choice of hikes, ranging from
easy walks along the banks of salmon rivers to an ascent of Cul Mor (2784
feet); a good path takes you a long way up Cul Mor from the bus stop,
but to reach the summit involves more demanding hiking over pathless ground
and is only to be attempted in clear weather. Not to be missed while at
Lochinver is the easy and scenic footpath which leads north over low rocky
hills to the idyllic sandy beaches of Achmelvich (about 3 hours walk one
way). For the more adventurous, we offer a two-night
extension among the scenic mountains of Inchnadamph, which extend to 1000m
above sea level. Inchnadamph is a classic geological locality, with spectacular
limestone scenery and caves.
The Far North-West - tour details
2008
A Discerning Traveller self-led hiking tour
Duration. 6 or 8 nights
Tour code. U6, U6E, U8, U8E (E = with en-suite or private bathroom
facilities throughout.)
Dates and starting days. Mid-May to end-September. Start any day.
However please note the following important points: 1) starting or ending
the tour on a Sunday (except for Sundays in July and August) will necessitate
a long taxi ride (not included in the tour price) from or to the nearest
train stations. 2) the lack of Sunday bus services restricts the choice
of hikes that can be done on Sundays. However taxi services are available
based in both Ullapool and in Lochinver. Please contact us before booking
if you plan to arrive or depart by public transport on a Sunday.
Grade. Easy to moderate hiking; opportunities for more demanding
extensions.
Nearest international airports. Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Prestwick.
Train stations. Start of tour: Inverness, Dingwall or Garve; end
of tour Lairg or Inverness. There is a direct overnight sleeper train
service departing London about 9.30pm and arriving Inverness about 8.30am
(not Saturday nights).
Reaching the starting point. Direct bus from Inverness to Ullapool;
on Sundays (except in July and August) taxi from Dingwall or Garve (train
stations). Taxi fare from Garve about £35.
Returning from the end point. Bus from Lochinver or Inchnadamph
to Inverness; on those Sundays when there is no bus to Inverness taxi
to Lairg train station.
Overnight stops. U6 (6 night tour): nights 1, 2 Ullapool; 3,4 Achiltibuie;
5,6 Lochinver. U8 (8 night tour): nights 1 to 6 as U6; then nights
7 & 8 Inchnadamph.
Accommodation. Small inns, and guest houses; on 4 nights with en-suite
or private facilities, which can be guaranteed throughout for a supplement.
Meals included. 6 or 8 breakfasts; evening meals can be obtained
locally without pre-booking. Packed/picnic lunches are also obtainable
locally from the accommodation. There are food shops near each of the
overnight stops.
Baggage. Baggage is transported each day that you move on to new
accommodation.
Extra nights. These can be included at time of booking. For prices
see below.
Not included. Travel to and from the start and end points. Local
buses and taxis in connection with some of the walks. Lunches and evening
meals. Boat trips.
Factsheet. This provides more details before you book. The code
for this tour's factsheet is FSU. See Enquiry
form
The Far North-West - tour price
2008
- U6 (6 night tour) £440. Single room supplement: £80.
- U8 (8 night tour) £520. Single room supplement: £100.
- U6E (6 night tour, ES or private facilities throughout) £480.
Single room supplement: £100.
- U8E (8 night tour, ES or private facilities throughout) £560.
Single room supplement: £120.
- Extra nights: £45 per person per night.
- Maximum 1 single room per booking.
- This tour is not available for single travellers.
- Prices quoted are per person on basis of two people in double
or twin-bedded rooms. Included in the price are bed and breakfast each
night, with baggage transfers, maps and route directions. ‘ES’ (en suite)
facilities means that there is a private bathroom with shower or tub
and toilet within the main door of your room. ‘Private facilities’ means
that the private bathroom may be outside the main door of your room.
When the booking is made for a party of 3 or 5 customers, a single room
supplement is payable. Maximum one single room per booking.
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