The earliest evidence of inhabitants shows that the area was settled by cave dwellers. There was evidence of the use of fire and bones of now extinct animals such as bear, lynx, reindeer, lemmings and others. During the twelfth century, Vikings raided Assynt for cattle belonging to the Thane of Sutherland. History has it that the cattle were recovered by the clan MacNichol, for which deed the Thane granted the clan the lands of Assynt.

In the fourteenth century, the lands passed to the MacLeods of Lewis, who built Ardvrek Castle in 1597, which was besieged and destroyed in 1691 by Clan Mackenzie who were chasing a debt, and the Macleods were overthrown. The Mackenzies built Calda house, (in the middle distance in the photo overleaf), from where they ruled Assynt. In 1737 Calda house was burned down by the Earl of Sutherland, who was trying to collect a debt from the Mackenzies.

In the nineteenth century Assynt suffered the notorious Highland Clearances. During this period there was a notable exodus when the followers of the Rev. Norman MacLeod made a mass departure, initially to Nova Scotia, and subsequently to New Zealand. By the end of the twentieth century, 21,000 acres of the northern part of Assynt, was bought by the Assynt Crofters Trust, and the land finally passed into community ownership.

The earliest evidence of inhabitants shows that the area was settled by cave dwellers. There was evidence of the use of fire and bones of now extinct animals such as bear, lynx, reindeer, lemmings and others. During the twelfth century, Vikings raided Assynt for cattle belonging to the Thane of Sutherland. History has it that the cattle were recovered by the clan MacNichol, for which deed the Thane granted the clan the lands of Assynt.

In the fourteenth century, the lands passed to the MacLeods of Lewis, who built Ardvrek Castle in 1597, which was besieged and destroyed in 1691 by Clan Mackenzie who were chasing a debt, and the Macleods were overthrown. The Mackenzies built Calda house, (in the middle distance in the photo overleaf), from where they ruled Assynt. In 1737 Calda house was burned down by the Earl of Sutherland, who was trying to collect a debt from the Mackenzies.

In the nineteenth century Assynt suffered the notorious Highland Clearances. During this period there was a notable exodus when the followers of the Rev. Norman MacLeod made a mass departure, initially to Nova Scotia, and subsequently to New Zealand. By the end of the twentieth century, 21,000 acres of the northern part of Assynt, was bought by the Assynt Crofters Trust, and the land finally passed into community ownership.

‘Assynt’ comes from the Norse for ‘rocky district’. As the Vikings spread south along the west coast, they found themselves looking towards an ancient barren landscape of bare rock, lochans and standing high above them, stacks, each with a unique characteristic. ‘Suilven’ to them was ‘Sul Fjall’, pillar mountain, and must have been a sure guide towards a safe haven at what we now know as the fishing port of Lochinver.

Assynt is Highland landscape at its best; peaks such as Coigach,Stac Pollaidh,(once described as having an outline resembling 'a porcupine in a state of extreme irascibility'), Suilven, Quinaig and Foinaven rise above the crofting townships scratching a living from the harsh landscape. Near Kylesku in the north is Eas a' Chual Aluinn, Britain’s highest waterfall with a drop of almost 200 metres, accessible on foot or by a boat trip from Kylesku. The coastline is equally dramatic, with high rugged cliffs and sea stacks, such as at Stoer, and secluded golden sandy bays, such as at Clachtoll, which can equal beaches anywhere in the world.

The area has something for everyone, young and old, whether it is hill walking by or on some of Scotland’s most beautiful mountains, relaxing on the beaches washed by the warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift, watching the wildlife, or even studying some of the oldest rocks in the world. Assynt is an area treasured by all.

‘Assynt’ comes from the Norse and means ‘rocky district’. As the Vikings spread south along the west coast, they found themselves looking towards an ancient barren landscape of bare rock, lochans and standing high above them, stacks each with a unique characteristic. ‘Suilven’ to them was ‘Sul Fjall’, pillar mountain, and must have been a sure guide towards a safe haven at what we now know as the fishing port of Lochinver.

Assynt is Highland landscape at its best; peaks such as Coigach ,Stac Pollaidh,(once described as having an outline resembling 'a porcupine in a state of extreme irascibility'), Suilven, Quinaig and Foinaven rise above the crofting townships scratching a living from the harsh landscape. Near Kylesku in the north is Eas a' Chual Aluinn, Britain’s highest waterfall with a drop of almost 200 metres, accessible on foot or by a boat trip from Kylesku. The coastline is equally dramatic, with high rugged cliffs and sea stacks, such as at Stoer, and secluded golden sandy bays, such as Clachtoll, which equal beaches anywhere in the world.

The area has something for everyone, young and old, whether it is hill walking on some of Scotland’s most beautiful mountains, relaxing on the beaches washed by the warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift, watching the wildlife, or even studying some of the oldest rocks in the world. Assynt is an area treasured by all.