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A curving sandy beach enclosed by a grassy headland, small boats anchored in the calm water
Sutherland

Loch Eriboll Viewpoint

A viewpoint on the A838 high above Loch Eriboll, the widest and longest of the north coast's sea lochs, looking down on the near-island of Ard Neakie.

Welcome

Driving the north coast east from Durness, the road makes a long detour round Loch Eriboll, the widest and longest of the sea lochs that cut into this coast, about a mile across and reaching deep into the mountains.

As it climbs out again on the eastern side, it gives one of the great views of the north.

Below lies Ard Neakie, a green near-island tied to the shore by a curving spit of shingle, with its white house and old lime kilns. Beyond it the loch stretches away between the hills, and across the water the crofts of Laid line the far shore, a township made in 1832 for people cleared from Eriboll and slowly coming back to life.

The name is Norse, from a word meaning a farm on a beach. Pull into the lay-by, and if you have time, walk down to Ard Neakie itself.

A short drive awayArd Neakie Lime KilnsThe near-island and its kilns below.3 min by roadSee itArd Neakie Lime Kilns
Before you go

The viewpoint is by the road and open at all times, free.

Where
On the A838 on the east side of Loch Eriboll.
Below
Ard Neakie and its lime kilns.
Where it is

On the A838 as it climbs the east side of Loch Eriboll, above Ard Neakie.

Close byLoch Eriboll.
  1. Aerial view of a tidal island linked to the shore by twin sandy causewaysLoch Eriboll2 miles3 min by road
  2. 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.13 miles17 min by road
  3. Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandBurr’s of Tongue13 miles17 min by road
  4. Castle VarrichCastle VarrichA ruined tower above the Kyle of Tongue.13 miles17 min by road
  5. Ceannabeinne BeachCeannabeinne BeachA white-sand cove east of Durness.13 miles17 min by road
Directions
Grassy tidal island linked by a narrow causeway under grey mistAttractionsArd Neakie Lime Kilns1.6 miles
A curved timber house glows with lit windows at dusk, set low into a grassy hillside.SutherlandHill CottageSleeps 2 · 1.9 miles
A curved timber-roofed house catches the evening light beside a sea loch, gorse and heather covering the foreground.SutherlandShore CottageSleeps 2 · 1.9 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 · 3.7 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 · 3.7 miles
A white church-like building sits at the foot of a rocky, grass-covered hillside, sheep grazing on the slope above.DurnessCeannabeinne CottageSleeps 4 · 4.7 miles
Tumbled stone walls of Ceannabeinne township on a green slope in evening light, the sea beyond.AttractionsCeannabeinne Village Ruins4.8 miles over the water
Wooden viewing platform inside a large cave with rocky floor and green-lit wallsAttractionsSmoo Cave5.8 miles over the water
Vast limestone cave arch with a wooden viewing shelter beside the streamAttractionsSmoo Cave5.9 miles over the water
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the viewpoint, 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 Sutherland
  • 2 miles 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 Sutherland
  • 2 miles 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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