Email Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel (SYHA) enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com  

Other places to stay at Lochinver

A small and remote rustic hostel, 300m from the legendary white sandy beach (listed in the Good Beach Guide).

There are miles of unspoilt coastline here to explore, with many intimate beaches to make your own. Water sports such as canoeing and windsurfing are easily practiced in the crystal waters: it’s hard to imagine you’re in Scotland.

Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel Accommodation

This former school building and cottage have been tastefully transformed into a 36-bed youth hostel, with rooms of various sizes including one family room. Unforgettable sunsets are practically guaranteed.

Facilities
- Accommodation comprises of 53 beds
- Private rooms available
- 3.5 miles from the nearest shop
- 1.5 miles from bus shop

Open through: 22nd April - 19th September 2011

NB: nearby campsite shop & chip shop open throughout the summer. There is a bus service to and from Hostel throughout the summer.

Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.

Local Attractions
Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver
All you need to know about visiting the area, under one roof. Great displays, wildlife info & spotting details, a great place for quick information or a rainy afternoon.

Ardvreck Castle
A ruined castle in a magnificent location. Part of Historic Scotland.

Clachtoll Broch
Remains of a broch close to the shoreline.

Clachtoll Salmon Bothy & Ice House
With displays organized by the Assynt Historical Society.

Coigach & Assynt Driving tour
Taking in the best of this magnificent area.

Culag Community Woodland Trust
The Trust manages both the Culag Woods, located south of the harbour at Lochinver, and the Little Assynt Estate, 6kms east of the village including the newly extended all-abilities path.

Kirkaig Falls
A well trodden path leads to the impressive 60ft falls of Kirkaig on the south side of Suilven. Treat yourself to a coffee or an ice cream afterwards in Achins bookshop/coffee shop at the start/end of the track.

Inchnadamph National Nature Reserve
Including the Traligill Limestine / River Caves & the Prehistoric Bone Caves Underground streams & Prehistoric remains are highlights of this reserve. Twenty miles north of Ullapool, off the A837 road.

Loch a’ Mhuilinn
The most northern remnant of native oak woodland in Britain survives on this reserve. The stunting effects of westerly gales are clearly visible with some of the oaks reduced to a creeping form near the sea. Four miles south of Scourie, off the A894 road.

Sandwood Bay
One of Scotland's best beaches.

The Old Man of Stoer & Stoer Lighthouse
A magnificent 60 metres high sea stack of Torridonian sandstone.

Highland Stoneware Pottery, Lochinver
You can buy, browse or watch the potters at work.

Statesman Cruises
Kylesku Boat Trip to the tallest waterfall in Britain. Trips leave from Kylesku Pier.

Assynt Angling Information & Research
Accurate information about lochs, permits, boats etc.

Eating & Drinking (Lochinver area)
The Caberfeidh Restaurant & Public House, fantastic selection of traditional home cooked food, good choice of beers, real ales and wines and spirits. Main Street, Lochinver.

Lochinver Larder
Fully licensed restaurant famous for its pies as well as tea, coffee, cakes, lunches & dinner. Main Street, Lochinver.

The Culag Hotel, Main Street, Lochinver
Hotel with restaurant as well as The Wayfarer Pub serving bar meals.

The Village Green, Main Street, Lochinver
Cute Café where the locals hang out. Specializing in Fair Trade teas, coffee & home-baking. Also crafts & gifts sourced both locally and worldwide.

Shorehouse Seafood Restaurant, Tarbet, Nr Handa Island
Family owned & run seafood restaurant. Locally caught & prepared on site by the owner, served to you by his daughters! Awesome views, excellent prices. We LOVE this place!!

Achins Bookshop & cafe, Inverkirkaig
Family-run bookshop & café. Home cooking & home baking. Open till 6pm most evenings – Great way to start or end your walk to the Falls of Kirkaig.

Maryck Memories of Childhood Museum & tearoom, Unapool
Family-run tearoom. Very reasonably priced soups, sandwiches, cakes, teas & coffees.

Achmelvich Beach & Vestrys Beach (2 minutes).
Walk back down the road leading from the car park for about 150yds, take a right turn down the sandy path to Achmelvich beach. Walk along the beach keeping the sea to your left and up the grassy slope.

Over the slope, over the fence via the stile and climb down the other side to Vestrys Beach. Return via the same route or head away from the sea towards the croft road, then down the road and back to the car park.

Achmelvich Castle (15 min's).
Walk back down the road leading from the car park 150yds, take a right turn down the sandy path to Achmelvich beach. Go to the far left side of the beach and up towards the end of the caravans. Over the stile, and through the gate at right side of the last green house.

Follow in a clockwise direction around the rocky peninsula, keeping both the campsite and then the sea on your left hand side. The castle is well disguised in the rocks so look hard once you get around the other side of the peninsula! You can go inside the castle too. How many people can you fit inside all at once!?

Footpath to Altanabradhan (45 min's).
Take the Croft road which leads north from the car park. You will go through 2 big gates and about ½ mile up the road look for the wooden ‘Footpath to Altanabradhan’ signpost. Follow the undulating path off to the left and when you come to a little road/driveway for the holiday cottages, cross over it still following the footpath sign.

Walk past the big white house (which will be on your right), keeping the Cathair Dubh holiday cottages on your left and continue. The old grain mill will soon come into view with information boards telling you what it was used for. A further 5 minute walk takes you from the mill to the secluded bay of Port Altanabradhan.

Achmelvich to Clachtoll Coastal Walk (1.5 hrs).
Follow directions for route #3 which is on a distinctive path. From Altanabradhan follow the coast north on one of many sheep tracks, keeping the sea on your left. As well as a great beach, other points of interest at Clachtoll are the ‘split rock’, salmon bothy & broch. This is quieter than Achmelvich and a fantastic place to watch for whales, dolphins & birdlife.

‘In search of Black Throated Divers’
Every second Wednesday from June 10th, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver.

Inchnadamph Reserve
Caves, tunnels and underground streams are highlights of this reserve. 20 miles north of Ullapool off A837.

Ben Mor Coigach Reserve
An extensive reserve extending across mountains, lochs, moorland and peatbogs. Species – Raven, red grouse, ptarmigan, twite, grey seal, otter, red deer. Admission is free.

Knockan Crag Nature Reserve
A popular earth science site recognized worldwide where scientists first discovered a basic principle of geology.

Point of Stoer
Beautiful coastal scenery on the most westerly point of Sutherland. Here you will find the famous Old Man of Stoer, a 200 ft high rock stack just off shore. Species – whales, dolphins, porpoises, large variety of breading seabirds.

North West Highlands Geopark
Highland Ranger walks and talks for all ages and abilities. These include rock pool rummages, dragon walks, coastal rambles, mountain walks, wildlife tracking, plants, flowers, bat evenings and whale and dolphin watching.

DORECTIONS
By Car:
From Ullapool; take the A835 northwards, left (Ledmore Junction)on the A837 and then just before Lochinver turn right to the B869 for 2 miles and then left for 1 mile following the YH signs. From Lochinver; YH is 4 miles NW of Lochinver... Up the hill and turn left onto the B869 for 2 miles and then left for 1 mile following the YH signs.

By Foot:
From Lochinver - take the Baddidarrach footpath to Achmelvich Beach. Spectacular views, 1 to 1.5 hour, approx 3.5 miles. Not suitable for carrying heavy Luggage!

By Train:
Inverness to Lairg: Mon-Sat: Departs 10.38 am - Arrives 12.20 pm * connects with Royal Mail Postbus, limited seats available (8) * no connecting Postbus service on Sunday. *From Lochinver a taxi can be taken to Achmelvich Beach.

Email Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel (SYHA) enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com