Coigach District is entered as the coastal road from Lochinver crosses the River Kirkaig. There is a small car park and up the bank is found a bookshop and cafe; this is also the start of the path to the Falls of Kirkaig and the southern approach to Suilven. However all these are come under the classification of Assynt District and it is the narrow road that climbs out of the wooded valley to cross the moors that is of interest.Within 2km you drop sharply back to the shoreside as the road clings to a slim ledge under the rocky buttresses. Now the route turns inland following a low valley floor of the Allt Gleann an t Srathain past Rhegreanoch. The road takes to the high moorland, keeping west of the main expanses of water before dropping yet again to cross the River Polly, this is the outfall from the largest loch in the area, Loch Sionascaig, and has a catchment area that stretches back to the main road in the East. Inverpolly Lodge is hidden from view towards the sea on the north side of the river.
Past a fish farm and continuing southwards the road climbs (yet again) to cross the Aird of Coigach - the western extremities of Stac Pollaidh - and into view comes the extensive ridges of Ben Mor Coigach filling the southern aspect. To the left (east) is the distinctive pinnacle of Stac Pollaidh seen 'end on' with Cul Beag beyond. It is a most impressive panorama - particularly if you ignore the electricity supply poles that are curiously missing from this photo! - as you can see all the hills of the district from this elevated viewpoint.
The road drops down the hillside to meet the valley road between Loch Osgaig and Loch Bad a' Ghail where you have the choice of turning West to the village of Achiltibuie (and the road end), or East through the mountains and back to the main road. The complete road circuit using the coastal route through Lochinver and returning by the main road to the East is a popular one that benefits from fine weather - but of course when the weather is fine the car should be left to get a birds eye view of some of the best scenery in the country by climbing the mountains themselves.
East to the Main Road. |
West to Achiltibuie. |