Sutherland, even more remote than Wester Ross, gives the traveller the feeling of going back in time. When driving north from Ullapool it seems like you are entering another country with its strange shaped mountains like Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Canisp and the feeling of loneliness is very present here. It is hard to imagine this was once a populated area with little farming communities before the clearances started.
Words like remote, lonely and empty fit well to this stunning and impressive landscape. Sutherland covers the northern part of Scotland starting from Ullapool on the west coast to Cape Wrath in the far north west and Helmsdale on the east coast.
An interesting place to visit is Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve on the A835. It provides lots of information about the Geology of the north west of Sotland and stunning views of Stac Pollaidh.
Picture Gallery
click on a picture for an enlargment
Stack Pollaidh seen from the A835.
Ardvreck castle near Loch Assynt.
View at Suilven. What an impressive mountain!
Drumbeg viewpoint at the B869. A great road to drive.
On that same road.
Again on the same road looking at Glendhu forest.
And again on the same road.
View at Ullapool and Loch Broom seen from the A835
As soon as you pass Ullapool these are the views you will see when driving North. A kind of Scottish "Monument Valley"
Wide open space and huge mountain landscapes
Driving over the A835 gives great pleasure. The road is wide and straight, the average speed is higher than on the most A-roads in Scotland and the views are "one of a kind". I could be driving there for hours and hours if it wasnt for the many stops to take pictures.
Loch Assynt seen from the A837, another great road.
A closer look at Ardvrech Castle built at around 1490 by the McLeod's
These trees grow outside the castle grounds at Loch Assynt
Lochinver is a nice place for a stop. There is a little playground for children on the left.
The bay near Stoer.
Another wonderful view from the B869.
The B869 brings you to wonderful views and is spectacular to drive if not in a hurry
