The North West Highlands Geopark is located on the most north-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, and covers a substantial part of Sutherland and the Coigach area of Wester Ross.  

The boundary stretches from Cape Wrath in the north to Ben More Coigach in the south, and from the coast in the west to the approximate line of the Moine Thrust in the east.  It covers some 200,000 hectares (see Map 1).  With a population of around 2400 in 2001, the North West Highlands is one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe.  It has a population density of a mere 1.2 people per square km compared with 7.9 and 66 people per square km for the Highlands and Scotland respectively. Settlements are typically very dispersed and small, with Lochinver (650 people), Kinlochbervie (480), Durness (350) and Achilitibuie (300) being the largest communities.

Geologically, the North West Highlands of Scotland contain rock formations of outstanding interest, which span over 3000 million years of Earth history and include some of the oldest rocks in Europe.  Along the west coast, the oldest rock in the region, Lewisian gneiss, creates a landscape of low hills and scattered         

lochans.  Rising from this gneiss landscape are huge masses of Torridonian sandstone, capped by quartzite which form the distinctive mountains Cul Mor Suilven, Canisp and Quinag.

In terms of nature conservation, the Geopark contains a wealth of designations of UK and European importance.  Equally significant, the area exhibits an array of historic and archaeological sites of all periods, including scheduled monuments and listed buildings.  From early evidence for human habitation in Scotland, through to Norse burials in the North West Highlands and on to the times of the Clearances and crofting, the human story can be traced over 9000 years.

The Geopark area is undoubtedly one of the most scenically attractive areas in the UK.

However, located north of Ullapool, it is perceived as being very distant and remote.  It is the aim of the Geopark to encourage visitors to linger in the area and allow them to achieve a better appreciation and understanding of the landscape.

For further information, an excellent pack entitled “Exploring the Landscape of Assynt” - ISBN 085272471-3 -  has been produced by the British Geological Survey and is available direct from them or from Achins bookshop.

The area is covered by Ordnance Survey Landranger Maps Nos 9 and 15.