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A stone cottage beside a lone tree on open moorland, a gravel track leading past.
Sutherland

Lettermore, Loch Loyal

A ruined cottage and its lone tree on the open moor by Loch Loyal, on the road south from Tongue, with Ben Loyal rising behind.

Welcome

South of Tongue, where the A836 runs along the shore of Loch Loyal, a small stone cottage stands alone on the open moor with a single wind-bent tree beside it.

This is Lettermore. Its roof is long gone and nobody seems to know its story; it may once have been a bothy, a shelter on the empty road south.

The ruin and its tree sit on the heather, a gravel track runs past the door, and behind them rises the long, many-topped ridge of Ben Loyal, the Queen of Scottish mountains. Nearby an old stone bridge arches over a burn.

In mist the hills vanish and the cottage stands alone; on a clear evening the whole mountain glows. Stop in a passing place and walk the few steps across the moor.

Before you go

The ruin stands by the A836 and can be seen at any time, free.

Stop considerately in a passing place and keep to the edge of the road.

Where
By the A836 along Loch Loyal, south of Tongue.
Behind it
Ben Loyal.

Did you know

An old stone bridge arching over a stream, hills and a distant cottage beyond.
Did you know

An old bridge.

An old stone bridge arches over the burn close by.

A ruined stone cottage on open moorland, a lone tree standing beside it.
Did you know

The Queen behind.

The ridge behind the cottage is Ben Loyal, whose highest tor stands at 764 metres.

What is on

What is new across Sutherland, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Sutherland
01 / 03
Where it is

By the A836 along Loch Loyal, a few miles south of Tongue.

Close byTongue.
  1. Lichen-covered boulders frame a scattering of lochans across distant Highland glensBen LoyalThe Queen of Scottish mountains above it.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Cnoc CraggieCnoc Craggie3 miles 4 min by road
  3. Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandBurr’s of Tongue7 miles 11 min by road
  4. TongueTongueA village above the Kyle of Tongue, with Ben Loyal to the south, the ruin of Castle Varrich on its bluff, and a causeway across the Kyle.7 miles 11 min by road
  5. Castle VarrichCastle VarrichA ruined tower above the Kyle of Tongue.7 miles 12 min by road
  6. Coldbackie BeachColdbackie BeachA sandy bay under Watch Hill.9 miles 12 min by road
Directions
A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.TongueLundies HousePlace to stay · 6.7 miles
Timber-framed café interior with fairy lights strung across exposed roof beamsCafeWeavers Craft Shop & Café7.9 miles
The Norse Bakehouse dining room, green panelling and wooden tables under strings of lights and a high ceiling.RestaurantsNorse Bakehouse7.9 miles
Kyle House, SutherlandTongueKyle HouseSleeps 2 · 12 miles
Sandy beach curves between hills and rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsTorrisdale Beach16 miles
Sun setting over a river estuary winding between grassy hillsAttractionsTorrisdale Bay16 miles
A stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.HopeKeeper's CottageSleeps 6 · 16 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.HopeFerryman's CottageSleeps 4 · 16 miles
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

The Daily

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the ruin, and when each is next free.

Kyle House, SutherlandKyle House
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Tongue
  • 5 miles from Lettermore
Check datesA stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.Lundies House
  • To stay
  • In Tongue
  • 6 miles from Lettermore
Check datesA stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.Keeper's Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Hope
  • 12 miles from Lettermore
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.Ferryman's Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Hope
  • 12 miles from Lettermore
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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