Peet’s Restaurant
Harbourside, Lochinver, IV27 4LE
Relaxed, family-run dining by the harbour, with local seafood and classic favourites. A lovely choice for an evening meal.
So much to discover
Around Clachtoll & Assynt
Westhaven is surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the north-west Highlands. White-sand beaches, dramatic mountains, wildlife, ancient history and small Highland communities are all within easy reach.
Whether you want to walk, paddle, take a boat trip, explore local crafts, enjoy fresh food or simply spend a quiet day beside the sea, there is plenty to discover during your stay.
Lochinver, Achmelvich & Assynt
Where to Eat
From fresh local seafood to relaxed café lunches and traditional Highland favourites, there are several good places to eat within easy reach of Westhaven.
Please check before travelling. Opening days and serving times can vary with the season, and booking ahead is advisable for evening meals.
Delilah’s Restaurant & Bar
Main Street, Lochinver, IV27 4LX
A welcoming village restaurant and bar with a lively atmosphere and a menu centred on fresh, seasonal local produce.
An Cala Café
Culag Park, Lochinver, IV27 4LE
A friendly, informal café serving home-cooked food at reasonable prices. Handy for a relaxed bite while exploring the village.
Inver Lodge Hotel
Lochinver, IV27 4LU
Dinner with sweeping views over Lochinver. Local produce and a scenic dining room make this a lovely choice for a special evening.
Kylesku Hotel Restaurant
Kylesku, Sutherland, IV27 4HW
Seafood and Highland produce beside Loch Glendhu. A beautiful setting for lunch or dinner during a day out further afield.
Inbhir Brunches
9 Main Street, Lochinver, IV27 4JY
An easy-going stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake. Sit in for a break or pick up something to take away.
Wayfarers’ Bar
Culag Hotel, The Pier, Lochinver, IV27 4LQ
A traditional harbour-side bar for a drink or light lunch, with a wide choice of malt whiskies. Call to check food service.
Lochinver Larder
Main Street, Lochinver, IV27 4JY
Famous for handmade sweet and savoury pies. Pick up a takeaway or enjoy your pie outside by the river with views of the sea loch.
Coast, mountains, wildlife & local culture
Things to Do
From a walk on the beach to a day in the hills, a wildlife cruise or a visit to a local craft studio, there is plenty to explore around Assynt.
Jump to an activity
Achmelvich Beach
Achmelvich has beautiful white sands and clear blue water. The pale sand is largely made up of crushed shells.
A short walk over the headland leads to the quieter Vesty’s Bay. There is also a public car park and toilets at Achmelvich.
Hermit’s Castle
Known locally as Hermit’s Castle, this unusual little concrete folly was built in the 1950s by an English architect and is sometimes described as one of Europe’s smallest castles.
Clachtoll Beach
White sand, clear water and spectacular mountain views make Clachtoll Beach one of the highlights of a stay at Westhaven.
The nearby Iron Age broch is another fascinating feature of the bay.
Stoer Ceramics
Marc Campbell makes original handmade ceramic art at 5 Lochend, Stoer. Stock changes regularly, with a mixture of Raku and other ceramic pieces.
Highland Stoneware
Highland Stoneware has been producing its distinctive pottery in Lochinver and Ullapool since 1974.
Each piece is handmade and individually free-hand painted, so no two pieces are exactly alike.
Glencanisp Lodge Pottery
Distinctive handmade ceramics by Fergus Stewart, located in the old stables behind Glencanisp Lodge.
Hiking
From gentle coastal walks to full mountain days, Assynt offers an extraordinary range of walking.
Suilven, Canisp, Quinag and Ben More Assynt are among the best-known mountains in the area.
Lochinver Village Hall
A lively community venue for ceilidhs, concerts, meetings and visiting musicians and theatre groups.
Assynt Craft Markets
The market showcases artists and craftspeople from Assynt and the surrounding area, together with locally grown and produced food.
Lochinver Village Hall
10am–4pm
Assynt Leisure Centre
The leisure centre offers facilities for both local residents and visitors, including a fitness suite and games hall.
Loch Land and Sea
Paddleboard and wetsuit hire, tuition, group sessions and tours, based in Lochinver.
North Coast Sea Tours
Wildlife cruises, sea angling, private charters and sunset cruises from Lochinver.
Lochinver Marina, Lochinver Harbour, IV27 4JP
Kylesku Boat Tours
Cruise aboard the Rachel Clare on the waterfall tour to Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, with opportunities to see seals and the surrounding scenery.
The trip lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Shearwater Cruises
Cruises from Ullapool Harbour exploring Loch Broom and the Summer Isles, with wildlife and coastal scenery along the way.
Head of Ullapool Harbour, Shore Street, Ullapool
Ranger Guided Walks
Countryside Ranger guided walks are available around the area.
Contact: Andy Summers
01571 844654
andy.summers@highlifehighland.com
Hamlet Mountaineering
Canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hill walking and guided climbing in the north-west Highlands.
Tim Hamlet
01854 622754
/
07766 712503
Ardvreck Castle
The atmospheric ruins of Ardvreck Castle sit beside Loch Assynt. The castle was built by the MacLeods of Assynt and occupies a striking position overlooking the loch.
Stoer Lighthouse
The lighthouse has superb views across the Minch and is a good place to watch for whales and dolphins.
From here you can also walk to the Old Man of Stoer, a spectacular sea stack.
Handa Island
Handa Island is famous for its towering sea cliffs and huge seabird colonies. Puffins also breed here, and you may occasionally spot otters, dolphins, whales or orcas.
The island is reached by a short ferry trip from Tarbet, north of Scourie.
Sea Fishing
There are plenty of opportunities for sea fishing around the coast. Many local boat operators also offer fishing trips.
Shore fishing is also possible from suitable rocky areas and from Lochinver pier and breakwater.
Assynt Angling
Find information about where to fish, permits and individual lochs, including an interactive map with information and comments.
North Assynt Fishing
The estate has around 200 lochs and lochans and offers a wide variety of trout fishing.
Boat hire, permits, tuition, tackle hire and ghillie services may also be available.
Salmon Fishing — River Kirkaig
The River Kirkaig offers salmon fishing over a number of pools. The river is a spate river and fishing is by fly.
Stargazing
With very little light pollution, Clachtoll can be a wonderful place for stargazing when the skies are clear.
If conditions are right you may see the Aurora Borealis, and during summer there is also the possibility of seeing delicate noctilucent, or “night-shining”, clouds.
Explore it for yourself
Stay at Westhaven
With beaches, walks, wildlife and the mountains of Assynt on the doorstep, Westhaven makes a wonderful base for exploring this remarkable corner of the Highlands.
Keep in touch
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clachtoll@outlook.com