Achmelvich Beach

The bus stops in the centre of the village. Turn left and retrace the route back to where a minor road turns off to the left, just before the main road crosses a stream by a bridge and begins to climb uphill.

Follow the road past the church, through the built -up area, to the point where the road divides. Take the right hand turning here. The road continues uphill, and at a bend in the road, turn left to gain a footpath which passes close to a house, leading to a gate opening onto open moorland.

Turn right where the road forks, and continue uphill. At a bend in the road, turn left onto a footpath which passes close to a house before reaching a gate onto open moorland.

A clear path now meanders between low rocky humps and occasional lochans. It is worth diverting off the path onto one of these humps for a view down to the sea. The inland view is dominated by a line up of oddly shaped mountains; these are the hills of Assynt with distinctive names and profiles - Suilven, Canisp, Quinag....

Eventually the narrow path emerges onto a more substantial track, passing some crofting buildings, then skirting Loch Dubh.

The road drops down to cross the stream running into Loch Roe, via a bridge. It then bears uphill, passing through woodland, to join the minor road leading to Achmelvich.

Turn left onto the twisty minor road that leads to Achmelvich - being aware that this narrow road is used by caravans and the occasional local bus.

At last the destination comes into sight - Achmelvich Beach itself. A white, sandy beach between grassy headlands, almost tropical-looking (until you dip your hot feet into the clear seawater, guaranteed to cool them down fast!). To extend your time here, there is a campsite and a small SYHA hostel right on the beach (open during the summer). Otherwise, the return route to Lochinver is the same as the outward walk. The dome of Suilven is particularly striking from this angle.

Turn right and get away from what little traffic there is.

Cross the bridge and continue up to the croft buildings, where the footpath branches off.

Follow the winding footpath across the moorland to the gate which takes you back onto a tarred road.

Turn left and walk back to the junction with the A837.

Turn right here to return to the centre of Lochinver, which has shops and refreshment possibilities before catching the return bus to Inverness.

Picnic benches by the bus turning area afford views out along the sea loch while you wait. There is now a community-run hostel near the harbour, if you want to extend your stay in Lochinver to take in, for example, the Falls of Kirkaig (or have simply missed the bus, lingering too long on that idyllic beach!)