A weathered concrete watchtower with barred windows and a stepped base sits on a rocky coastal outcrop above the sea.
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Hermit's Castle

A tiny concrete 'castle' built on a rocky headland at Achmelvich in 1950, long abandoned and one of the oddest buildings in Scotland.

Welcome

On a rocky headland at Achmelvich, near Lochinver, stands one of the strangest little buildings in Scotland.

The Hermit's Castle is a tiny fortress of grey concrete, built in 1950, with a stepped base and a few small square windows looking out to sea. It is so small that it seems to grow out of the rock.

Nobody lives there now, and it has long stood empty, weathered by the salt wind of the Minch. From a distance it can be hard to spot at all, so closely does its grey concrete match the ancient grey rocks around it, which is part of the fun of finding it.

The castle is a short scramble along the coast from the white-sand beaches and car park at Achmelvich. The rocks can be slippery, so wear good shoes and take care near the edge. Combine it with an afternoon on the beaches, some of the loveliest in the north of Scotland.

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The Daily for 9 November, from Scotland with love. an autumn-wooded loch reflected in still water, rocks breaking the surface in the foreground
Round the cornerAchmelvich1 min by roadSee itAchmelvich
Before you go

Open at any hour, on a rocky headland; take care on the rocks.

Where
The headland at Achmelvich, near Lochinver.
Built
1950.
Made of
Concrete.

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