Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands
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Cape Wrath & the North West Photo Gallery
About Cape Wrath & the North West
Between Ullapool, the attractive fishing and ferry port, and Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the mainland, lies a unique corner of Scotland: Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands. The scenery here is like nothing you have ever seen before. Towering, strangely shaped mountains appear to stick up out of nowhere; curious sea stacks and precipitous cliffs play host to countless birds; the ancient weathered moorland lies peppered with a rash of tiny lochans. Our walks allow us to explore Coigach and Quinag, reach Cape Wrath, find Sandwood Bay and visit the Bird Reserve on the island of Handa, making this an unforgettable experience.
The landscape of this cornerof Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands is formed from the oldest rock sequences in Britain. The low plateau of rugged knolls is formed from Lewisian Gneiss (up to 3,000 million years old). This rock is impermeable and forms the basis for the lochan-strewn moorland for which the area is renowned. Past glaciers shrouded the area in ice, carving the mountains and cliffs and gouging the deep basins which now form the major lochs. Heather moorland and peat bog are predominant in the Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands with a few green and fertile areas, such as at Elphin and Durness existing due to the presence of limestone.
The moorland is home to many - red deer, pine marten, plovers, wheatear, greenshank, divers… with the coastline varying from long sandy beaches to some of the highest cliffs in the UK. Terraced sandstone cliffs offer impregnable nest sites for many seabirds such as fulmar, guillemot, gannets, kittiwakes, puffins... and it is the combination of mountain, moor and sea and the long northern evenings which makes this area of Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands unique and unforgettable.
Cape Wrath & NW Highlands - Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet at Stirling and travel by mini-bus to Inverness then on to Ullapool, the start of our Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands walking holiday. Overnight at Ullapool Hostel.
Day 2: Explore Ben Mor Coigach (~10mls / 1000m ascent). Stunning views north give one a glimpse of the diversity of Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands. Back to Ullapool.
Day 3: Pack up to move on. Travel to Elphin, then walk from there to Lochinver in between Suilven and Canisp. (~11ml / 500m ascent). Overnight at Achmelvich Hostel.
Day 4: Pack up to move on. Travel up to Tarbet to get the boat over to Handa Island bird reserve for the day. (3-4ml). Carry on to Durness for the next 3 nights. If it isn't appropriate to go over to Handa, another boat trip may be possible, perhaps up Loch Glencoul, followed by a short walk in the vicinity.
Day 5: Up early to get the first ferry and mini-bus over to Cape Wrath. Walk down the coast to and across Sandwood Bay, to reach Blairmore. This is another classic walk of the Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands area.
Day 6: Spend some time exploring Durness area, Balnakeil and Faraid Head before heading onward to Tongue.
Day 7: Finish our trip by popping up Ben Loyal one of the most shapely peaks in the area. Return to Tongue.
Day 8: Pack up and set off back to Stirling to arrive there by about 16:00.
Cape Wrath & NW Highlands - whats included?
Your walking holiday includes:
- 7 nights hostel accommodation (alternative accommodation available)
- 6 guided walks exploring Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands
- Transport from and back to Stirling
- Transport for all baggage and daily as required
- 2 Ferry Journeys
- Continental Breakfasts
- Qualified Leader
Minimum and Maximum Numbers:
- Minimum Number:
- 6
- Maximum number per leader:
- 10
Group Bookings & Private Guiding
Additional dates or spaces are available for group booking and private guiding by arrangement. Please phone us on 01786 445 703 or complete the Special Enquiry form.
Early Bird Bonus
Book your holiday more than 12 weeks in advance to claim 5% off.
You must quote “Early Bird 08” promotional code on your booking form as the discount will not be automatically applied.
Book Your Cape Wrath Walking Holiday
How would you like to pay for your CNDo Scotland activity?
If you would prefer to pay by:
- Cheque - download our postal booking form.
- Credit/Debit card securely online - use the form below
| Dates | SRS | Price | Spaces (?) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 - 31 August | n/a | £539 |  |
Want to go to Cape Wrath in early June? Check out our Cape Wrath Trail.
Self Guided Extensions
Extend your holiday in Scotland for a few extra days planning your own explorations. We'll arrange the accommodation, neccessary transport and provide you with a dossier of tantalising information.
Check out the Self Guided Extensions available for this holiday
If you would like to do this holiday privately for your self and a small group - just get in touch!
Recommended Reading
To get the most from your Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands walking holiday or course you may wish to do some background reading prior to departure.
Books which you may find informative are:
- North West Highlands (SMC District Guidebook) by by Donald John Bennet and Tom Strang
- The Highland Clearances by John Prebble
- Go Listen to the Crofters by A.D. Cameron
Maps which you may find informative are:
