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Loch Eriboll with the green knoll of Ard Neackie tied to the shore by a neck of sand, mountains under cloud beyond.
Sutherland

Loch Eriboll

The longest and widest sea loch of Scotland's north coast, between Durness and Tongue, with the tied island of Ard Neackie and its lime kilns, ringed by wild mountains.

Welcome

A few miles east of Durness, the north coast road turns inland and runs ten miles down one side of Loch Eriboll and ten miles back up the other.

It runs some ten miles inland, about a mile across for most of its length, and the drive round it is one of the finest on the whole route.

On the west shore the road passes the crofts of Laid, built in 1832 for families cleared from the far side to make way for sheep. From the east side, high above the water, the views open out to wild mountains: Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh close by, Foinaven and Arkle beyond.

The loch's best-loved sight is Ard Neackie, a round green knoll tied to the shore by a narrow neck of sand and shingle. It was once the landing for a ferry across the loch, and four great lime kilns of 1870 still stand on it. The roads are single track, so take your time.

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The Daily for 11 November, 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.
Not farThe Store Bistro & Bar17 milesSee itThe Store Bistro & Bar

Before you go

A sea loch, open at all hours.

The road round it is single track.

Where
Between Durness and Tongue.
Width
About a mile.
Look for
Ard Neackie and its kilns.

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Where it is

On the north coast of Sutherland, between Durness and Tongue; the A838 runs round it.

Close byDurness.
  1. Ard Neakie Lime KilnsArd Neakie Lime KilnsUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Loch Eriboll ViewpointLoch Eriboll Viewpoint2 miles 3 min by road
  3. Durness Golf ClubDurness Golf ClubA nine-hole links at Balnakeil, on the edge of Faraid Head, with a second set of tees for eighteen and a par 3 played across a sea inlet.6 miles as the crow flies
  4. Ben Hope6 miles as the crow flies
  5. DurnessDurnessDurness, to the west.18 miles 25 min by road
  6. BettyhillBettyhillFurther east along the coast.23 miles 36 min by road
Directions
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 · 2.9 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 · 2.9 miles
Wooden viewing platform inside a large cave with rocky floor and green-lit wallsAttractionsSmoo Cave4.7 miles as the crow flies
Vast limestone cave arch with a wooden viewing shelter beside the streamAttractionsSmoo Cave4.7 miles as the crow flies
A curved timber-roofed house catches the evening light beside a sea loch, gorse and heather covering the foreground.LaidShore CottageSleeps 2 · 12 miles
A curved timber house glows with lit windows at dusk, set low into a grassy hillside.Port na ConHill CottageSleeps 2 · 12 miles
Weathered timber boathouse and stone ruin beside a shingle shorelineAttractionsTongue12 miles
Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandCafeBurr’s of Tongue12 miles
The Norse Bakehouse dining room, green panelling and wooden tables under strings of lights and a high ceiling.RestaurantsNorse Bakehouse12 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

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

A curved timber house glows with lit windows at dusk, set low into a grassy hillside.Hill Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Port na Con
  • Under a mile from Loch Eriboll
Check datesA curved timber-roofed house catches the evening light beside a sea loch, gorse and heather covering the foreground.Shore Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Laid
  • Under a mile from Loch Eriboll
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
  • 2 miles from Loch Eriboll
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
  • 2 miles from Loch Eriboll
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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Read on

What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Sutherland.

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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .