This popular walk, within the Assynt Estate, gives superb views of River Kirkaig and the 20m (60 feet) waterfall, as well as the mountain Suilven. In fact it is used as an approach to Suilven by climbers. The path continues after the Falls to the beautiful Fionn Loch (another 1km) and eventually all the way to Elphin (another 14km).

Route:

The path starts at the car park at the bridge below Achins bookshop. Cross the road and head through the kissing gate up a wide gravel path. After 200m, take the narrow path through the trees that branches off to the right. After following the river edge for 2 km the path starts to climb above the gorge. After 11/2 km, look out for the junction, which will take you down to the Falls. The path here is badly eroded but the final descent to the viewing places is on rocky steps. Be careful!

You can now retrace your steps back to the car park or continue another 1 km to the shores of Fionn Loch. The path may get very muddy and wet nearer the loch. The route to Suilven lies this way but is a longer and more serious exercise requiring proper equipment and expertise.

What to see:
The walk starts under the canopy of the multi-stemmed hazel trees. This sheltered woodland is a remnant of the once extensive Northwest Forest and is full of breeding redpolls, willow warblers and tree pipits. As the path draws close to the river you are likely to be “buzzed” in summer by patrolling colourful dragonflies. The river here is a mixture of slow, silent pools and fast flowing, swirling water, with every boulder a staging post for dippers and grey wagtails. Peer into the deep pools in July and August and you may see a Kirkaig salmon making its way up to the spawning beds. The River Kirkaig flows out of Fionn Loch (the white loch) 4km into the sea at Kirkaig (an old Norse word meaning place of the Kirk). The river forms the Sutherland and Ross-shire boundary and on the other side Inverpolly is home to red deer, wildcats and pine martens.

The Kirkaig Falls are formed where an old volcanic intrusion crosses the ancient bedrock to form a hard barrier to the flow of the river. It is the end of the line for the ascending salmon. Try as they might they cannot jump it. Further on up the path is Fionn Loch, one of Assynt’s finest brown trout waters and where you may see red-throated divers flying in with food for their young. On the sides of the loch greenshank, common sandpiper, dunlin and golden plover raise their broods in safety.

Distance:

8km (5 miles) to the waterfall and back.

Time:

Allow 2-21/2 hours plus time for stops

Terrain:

A rough path all the way, which can be wet and muddy in places. Be careful on the slippery path down to the waterfalls. Walking boots recommended.

Start:

Inverkirkaig car park (near Achins bookshop)

Map:

OS sheet 15 (Loch Assynt).

FALLS OF KIRKAIG WALK

OLD MAN OF STOER

Distance:

7km (41/2 miles) to the Old Man and back.
It is another ½ km to the point of Stoer.

Time:

Allow 2-3 hours plus time for stops

Terrain:

Sheep tracks and heathery hillside. It can be wet and muddy in places. Be careful near the cliff edges. Walking boots recommended.

Start:

Stoer lighthouse (NC003 330)

Map:

OS sheet 15 (Loch Assynt).

Caution:

Dogs on a lead (they can chase sheep over the cliff)

This popular cliff top walk gives superb views of across the Minch out to the island of Lewis. The Old Man of Stoer is a 70m offshore stack and a playground for seabirds and climbers.

Route:

The route is fairly straightforward. Follow the sheep tracks north from the lighthouse along the coastline. After 1 km from the start the path crosses a shallow gully. After another kilometre there is a rocky inlet and from here you can see the Old Man ahead of you. From there the way rises north-west along a the lower slopes of Sithean Mor (the big fairy hill) and then drops down the steep heathery slope at the north-west end of that hill, to reach a flat open terrace overlooking the Old Man of Stoer. If you want to, you can continue towards the headland.

You can either return the same way or go inland. For the inland route climb the gentle slope to the cairn on Sithean Mor. Head towards the radio mast which stands on the low hill-top to the south. There is a faint path to the mast passing by a small lochan before rising up to the mast. From there a vehicle track winds back to the start.

What to see:
Stoer peninsula holds a wealth of bird life. The sandstone cliffs are a nesting area for Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Black Guillemots. Arctic Skuas and Great Skuas (Bonxies) nest on the peat hummocks on the headland and Peregrines and Ravens patrol the seabird colonies on the look out for dinner.

Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins can sometimes be seen in huge numbers from nearby Handa Island feeding below the cliffs. In the small caves along the jagged shoreline Rock Doves nest.

On a calm day there is no better place in Scotland to see Whales and Dolphins. Ten different species of cetaceans have been spotted from Stoer Point. The most common are Porpoises but, especially if you have binoculars, there is always a chance of seeing Minke Whales or a school of White-sided Dolphins. You may even be lucky and see pod of Killer Whales eyeing up the Grey Seals, which bask on the rocks below.

Where the sheep cannot feed, the cliffs are covered in Roseroot, Red Campion, Scots Lovage, Survey Grass and Sea Mayweed. Sometimes the cliffs are so steep they can only be botanised through binoculars.

Listen out for the Red-throated Divers flying overhead from the sea, carrying small fish to their young who will be tucked away on the smaller freshwater lochans.