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Clashnessie Bay, a sweep of pale sand and turquoise water below green crofting land, a black dog resting on the grass.
Assynt

Clashnessie

A crofting township on the Stoer coast north of Lochinver, with a sandy bay, a rocky shore and a waterfall nearby.

Welcome

Seven miles north of Lochinver, where the winding coast road passes the Stoer peninsula, the crofting township of Clashnessie spreads its scattered houses across green fields above a lovely bay.

The beach is a sweep of pale sand between rocky shores, and on a bright day the water turns a startling turquoise.

It is a quiet, open place, good for a walk on the sand, a paddle and a clamber on the rocks, with islands and the open sea beyond. Clashnessie Falls tumbles down through the rocks close by, and the ruins of an old horizontal mill stand on a burn nearby.

Clashnessie makes a fine stop on a drive round the coast of Assynt. Continue round the peninsula to Stoer Head, where a Stevenson lighthouse of 1870 stands on the cliffs, or south to the white sands of Achmelvich. The road is single-track all the way, so allow plenty of time.

A short drive awayStoer LighthouseA Stevenson lighthouse of 1870 on the cliffs of the Stoer peninsula, at the end of a single-track road with wide sea views.6 min by roadSee itWhite lighthouse atop a grassy cliff edge above the sea
Before you go

A township and beach, open at any hour.

Where
On the B869, 7 miles north of Lochinver, IV27 4JF.
Beach
Sandy, with a rocky shore.
Nearby
Clashnessie Falls.
Where it is

On the B869 coast road north of Lochinver, beyond Stoer, IV27 4JF.

Close byAssynt.
  1. Clashnessie FallsClashnessie FallsThe waterfall up the burn.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. White sheep resting among lichen-covered rocks and grassAchmelvich Coast WalkWhite sand to the south.8 miles 14 min by road
  3. Hermit's CastleHermit's CastleA tiny concrete 'castle' built on a rocky headland at Achmelvich in 1950, long abandoned and one of the oddest buildings in Scotland.8 miles 14 min by road
  4. AchmelvichAchmelvich8 miles 14 min by road
  5. AssyntAssyntThe mountains inland.16 miles 21 min by road
Directions
White lighthouse atop a grassy cliff edge above the seaAttractionsStoer Lighthouse3.9 miles
White sand beach curves between rocky headlands with turquoise waterAttractionsAchmelvich Bay8.1 miles
Lochinver Larder's long glass counter filled with golden pies.AttractionsLochinver Larder8.1 miles
White cottage restaurant Peets with sign, decking tables and closed red parasolRestaurantsPeet's Lochinver8.8 miles
The Daily for 18 October, from Scotland with love. Golden-hour light catches a shadowed mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland in the foreground

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