The Highland Council Countryside Rangers - Guided Walks in Assynt 2008

The Highland Council Countryside Rangers
Guided Walks in Assynt 2008
Cuairtean le Treoraiche Asainte

THURS 1ST MAY
Coastal Birds of Culkein Stoer
10.00 - 13.00
Explore the bay of Culkein where we hope to see Ringed plovers, redshanks, Whimbrel and maybe other passing migrants.
Meet at Stoer Hall.
Grade B

TUES 6TH MAY
Reptiles of Little Assynt
10.00- 14.00
Talk on how to look for lizards, slow worms and adders followed by a site visit to Little Assynt to look for them.
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver,
Grade B

THURS 8TH MAY
Achmelvich Coastal walk
11.00-15.00
Beautiful coastal walk to the mill at Altanabradhan through croftland and machair bursting with wildflowers including the rare pyramidal bugle
Meet Achmelvich beach car park,
Grade B

TUES 13TH MAY
Otters at Culkein Stoer
10.00-13.00
What to look for and how to see these common residents around our shores
Meet at Stoer Hall,
Grade B

THURS 15TH MAY
The secrets of Glen Leireag
11.00-15.00
Once a thriving community now left to nature, discover the secrets of this glen including freshwater pearl mussels and golden eagles.
Meet Nedd bridge, 3km east of Drumbeg,
Grade C

TUES 20TH MAY
In search of Golden Eagles
9.00 - 16.00
Elusive and yet majestical, Golden Eagles are one of Assynt's special birds.
Meet at the Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver.
Grade D

THURS 22ND MAY
Electro-fishing demonstration
10.00-12.00
A harmless technique to look for eels, trout and more with the West Sutherland Fisheries Trust biologist. Please bring wellies if possible.
Meet Achmelvich Bridge,
Bring wellies.

TUES 27TH MAY
Wildflowers of the Limestone
11.00- 16.00
Stunning walk in search of globe flowers, mountain avens and other speciality flowers of the limestone with guest local botanists.
Meet Inchnadamph car park,
Grade C

WED 28TH MAY
Moths of the Geopark
20.00- 22.00
A talk on the weird and wonderful variety of moths followed by a visit to a moth trapping station to see them for real.
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre
Talk followed by visit to moth traps.

THURS 29TH MAY
Rock around Clachtoll
11.00 - 14.00
The secrets of the oldest sedimentary rocks in Europe revealed as part of European Geopark Week
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park,
Grade B.

TUES 3RD JUNE
Achmelvich Coastal walk
11.00- 15.00
Stunning scenery along this delightful walk to the old meal mill. We shall be looking for spring squill and early purple orchids
Meet Achmelvich Beach car park,
Grade B

THURS 5TH JUNE
The Bone Caves 10.00-13.00
Fascinating walk to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered
Meet Bone caves car park,
Grade C

TUES 10TH JUNE
Clachtoll coastal walk
10.00-13.00
Beautiful walk to the Iron-age fort. Hear the story of skeletons, ancient saunas and the "murder hole".
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park,
Grade B

WED 11TH JUNE
Bat evening, Lochinver
21.00-23.00
Slide show at the Visitor Centre followed by a visit to the local pipistrelle roost to watch up to 100 bats leave their roost.
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre

THURS 12TH JUNE
Quinag
11.00- 17.00
Explore this fantastic Assynt mountain. Look for Mountain Azalea, Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan. Learn how the John Muir Trust is looking after it.
Meet Car park 3km north of Skiag bridge,
Grade D

TUES 17TH JUNE
Achmelvich Coastal walk
11.00- 15.00
Stunning scenery along this delightful walk to the old meal mill - great for butterflies and fragrant orchids
Meet Achmelvich Beach car park,
Grade B

WED 18TH JUNE
Dragonflies at Inchnadamph
11.00-15.00
To look for the under-recorded Azure Hawker as well as getting a better idea of the distribution of the common species found there.
Meet Inchnadamph car park,
Grade C

THURS 19TH JUNE
Seals at Oldany
10.00-13.00
Experience the delights of a Common Seal colony with maybe a chance of seeing otters.
Bring quiet clothes.
Meet Drumbeg view point,
Grade B

TUES 24TH JUNE
Canisp
10.00-18.00
A magic walk to the high top a place to find Golden Plovers Golden Eagles and Wild Azaleas (846m).
Meet at Loch Awe lay-by,
Grade D

THURS 26TH JUNE
Whale and Dolphin watch
10.00- 15.00
A slide show at Stoer hall followed by a visit to the cliffs to watch for passing cetaceans.
Part of National Whale and Dolphin Watching Day.
Meet at Stoer Hall

TUES 1ST JULY
Clachtoll to Achmelvich & back
11.00-16.00
Stunning cliff top walk passed the point of leaping dolphins.
Not for the faint-hearted, this 7km path is rough in places.
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park,
Grade C

WED 2ND JULY
Black-throated Divers
10.00-13.00
Watch this stunningly beautiful bird on a traditional breeding loch
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre,
Grade B

THURS 3RD JULY
Archaeology and wildlife
11.00-16.00
A joint event with Historic Assynt.
Learn about Ardvreck Castle and more and meet the wildlife of the area.
Meet Inchnadamph car park,
Grade A

TUES 8TH JULY
Dragonflies at Loch Poll
10.00-13.00
Meet these colourful killing machines up close and find out about their underwater and airborne existence
Meet Drumbeg View Point car park,
Grade B

WED 9TH JULY
Clachtoll coastal walk
10.00-13.00
Beautiful walk to the Iron-age fort. Hear the story of skeletons, ancient saunas and the "murder hole".
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park,
Grade B

THURS 10TH JULY
Medicinal Plants at Culag
14.00-16.30
Find out about the various uses and strange stories about some of the Highland's most popular plants.
Meet Culag Wood - Woodside car park,
Grade A

TUES 15TH JULY
Elphin to Lochinver
09.00-19.00
A long but fantastic journey through the remote heart of Assynt.
Meet at the Lochinver Post Office where we will get the Post bus to Elphin. 22km.
Meet Lochinver Post Office,
Grade D

WED 16TH JULY
The Gruffalo story, Culag
14.00-15.30
A mouse took a walk in the deep dark woods… Follow the trail to find the Gruffalo.
Suitable for families with children under the age of 8.
Meet Culag Wood - Woodside car park,
Grade A

THURS 17TH JULY
Ardroe to Lochinver
11.00-15.00
Explore the Assynt countryside in search of Dark-green Fritillaries, Speckled Wood and Grayling Butterflies
Meet at Assynt Visitor Centre,
Grade B

TUES 22ND JULY
Rockpools at Clachtoll
16.00-17.30
In search of hermit crabs, sea scorpions and all those weird and wonderful beasties that live in our rockpools.
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park

WED 23RD JULY
The Bone Caves
10.00-13.00
Fascinating walk to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered.
Meet Bones Caves car park,
Grade C

THURS 24TH JULY
Drumbeg peat Road
11.00-15.00
Journey to the interior of Assynt rich in wildlife and history and murderous stories.
Meet Drumbeg View Point car park,
Grade C

TUES 29TH JULY
The Dragon walk 1
10.00-13.00
Short family walk in search of the elusive Northern Green Dragon. A sense of adventure needed.
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre,
Grade A

WED 30TH JULY
Otters at Culkein Stoer
10.00-13.00
Slide show followed by a short drive and walk around Culkein in search of tracks and signs.
Meet Stoer Hall,
Grade B

THURS 31ST JULY
Glas Bhein
10.00-17.00
A walk to the top of one of Assynt's less-visited hills, with some wonderful views.
Meet Inchnadamph car park,
Grade D

MON 4TH AUG
Clachtoll Sand Sculpture Contest
11.00-13.30
Fun for all the family.
Bring bucket and spade and lots of ideas.
Superb prizes. Judging at 1.00pm.
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park

TUES 5TH AUG
Rockpools at Achmelvich
16.00-17.30
In search of hermit crabs, sea scorpions and all those weird and wonderful beasties that live in our rockpools.
Meet Achmelvich beach car park

WED 6TH AUG
Cul Mor near Elphin
10.00-17.00
Climb to the top of this magnificent mountain with super views and some rare and interesting plants. (849m).
Meet Lay-by north of Knockan Centre,
Grade D

TUES 12TH AUG
Achmelvich Coastal walk
11.00- 15.00
Stunning scenery along this delightful walk to the old meal mill - look for porpoises and dolphins.
Meet Achmelvich beach car park,
Grade B

WED 13TH AUG
The Bone Caves
10.00-13.00
Fascinating walk to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered.
Meet Bone Caves car park,
Grade C

THURS 14TH AUG
Clashnessie Waterfall 10.00-12.00
Short walk to the stunning Clashnessie waterfall through croftland rich in flowers, birds and history.
Meet Clashnessie beach car park,
Grade B

TUES 19TH AUG
Reptiles of Little Assynt
10.00- 14.00
Talk on how to look for lizards, slow worms and adders followed by a site visit to Little Assynt to look for them
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre,
Grade B

WED 20TH AUG
Coastal Birds of Culkein Stoer
10.00 - 13.00
Explore the bay of Culkein where we hope to see Ringed plovers, redshanks, Whimbrel and maybe other passing migrants
Meet at Stoer hall,
Grade B

THURS 21ST AUG
Drumbeg to Loch Crocach
11.00-18.00
Join us on an adventure to find the old route through the interior landscape of Assynt.
Return by bus.
Meet Drumbeg View Point car park,
Grade C

TUES 26TH AUG
Traligill, Inchnadamph
11.00-15.00
A walk through the ancient limestone scenery, past secret caves, dramatic waterfalls and dry river beds.
Meet Inchnadamph car park,
Grade C

WED 27TH AUG
School path at Clashmore
10.00-13.00
Explore the clearance village and crannog, while watching reed buntings and sedge warblers.
Wildlife and history in a special place
Meet Stoer Hall,
Grade B

THURS 28TH AUG
Bat evening, Lochinver
19.30-21.30
Slide show at the Visitor Centre followed by a visit to the local pipistrelle roost to watch up to 100 bats leave their roost.
Meet Assynt Visitor Centre

THURS 4TH SEPT
Coastal Birds of Culkein Stoer
10.00 - 13.00
Explore the bay of Culkein where we hope to see Ringed plovers, redshanks, Whimbrel and maybe other passing migrants
Meet Stoer hall,
Grade B

THURS 11TH SEPT
Fungi at Culag Woods
10.00-13.00
Explore the marvellous world of fungi.
Meet the different characters and learn their secrets in one of the best woods in Sutherland.
Meet Culag Wood - Woodside car park,
Grade A

TUES 16TH SEPT
Achnahaird to Garvie Bay
11.00-16.00
Explore the ancient rivers and lakes and get a glimpse of fossil records of the first life forces to appear on Earth.
Meet Achnahaird - Achiltibuie junction,
Grade C

THURS 18TH SEPT
The Bone Caves
10.00-13.00
Fascinating walk to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered.
Meet the Bone caves car park,
Grade C

THURS 2ND OCT
Clachtoll Broch
10.00-13.00
The remains of an Iron-age fort sits on the edge of the sea.
Who made it and why?
How can we preserve it for the future?
Find out more!
Meet Clachtoll Beach car park,
Grade B

All the walks are led by one of the Rangers. It is important though that you think of your own safety and that of any children for whom you are responsible. Remember too that these are country walks in the Highland weather so please dress accordingly. Bring sturdy shoes, or boots, a picnic and a sense of fun. The Rangers reserve the right to cancel any of these events.

Walk Grades:
A is easiest, D most challenging, including very rough ground and sometimes steep climbs.
Sorry these walks are not suitable for dogs.
Walks are free but donations will be appreciated.

For further information, contact:
Highland Council Countryside Rangers,
Assynt Visitor Centre,
Lochinver IV27 4LX
Telephone: 01571 844654
Email: andy.summers@highland.gov.uk
Or visit www.assynt.info

“Please remember Know the Code before you go: Enjoy, Respect and Protect.”www.outdooraccess-scotland.com