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A still loch reflecting hills and a low sun at Loch na Thull, a red-roofed building at the water's edge.
Sutherland

Loch na Thull

A still loch by the road at Rhiconich, where the way to Kinlochbervie leaves the A838, its water mirroring the bare hills, with boats for the fishing.

Welcome

At Rhiconich, where the road to Kinlochbervie turns off the A838, the land opens out around a loch: Loch na Thull.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

On a still evening its surface becomes a mirror, and the bare, rounded hills of the north-west stand doubled in the water, lit gold by a low sun.

This is empty, open country, the moor rising in every direction and scattered with lochans, and Loch na Thull is one of the first you meet on the way to the coast. A few red rowing boats wait at a wooden jetty, for this is fishing water; salmon run up occasionally from the sea, and the fishing is let through the Kinlochbervie Hotel.

Most people simply pause by the road for the view. From here the road runs on beside Loch Inchard to Kinlochbervie's harbour, and out to the sands of Oldshoremore and Polin at the end of the land.

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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.

Before you go

The loch is by the road and can be seen at any time, free.

Fishing is by permit, let through the Kinlochbervie Hotel.

Where
At Rhiconich, by the A838 and the road to Kinlochbervie.
Fishing
By permit, through the Kinlochbervie Hotel.

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Did you know

Sunlit hills reflected in a still loch at Loch na Thull, a small red building on the shore.
Did you know

Salmon water.

Loch na Thull yields the occasional salmon, and its fishing is let through the Kinlochbervie Hotel.

Sunlit hills reflected in a still loch at Loch na Thull.
Did you know

A crossroads.

Rhiconich is where the road to Kinlochbervie leaves the A838.

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Where it is

At Rhiconich, where the road to Kinlochbervie leaves the A838.

Close byKinlochbervie.
  1. InshegraInshegraA crofting township on Loch Inchard.4 miles 5 min by road
  2. Oldshoremore BeachOldshoremore BeachA sandy bay beyond Kinlochbervie.8 miles 14 min by road
  3. Polin BeachPolin BeachA tiny sandy cove below the crofting settlement of Polin, just beyond Oldshoremore, turquoise water held between rocky headlands.9 miles 17 min by road
  4. Two puffins stand on a clifftop cushion of thrift above the blue sea.Handa Island9 miles 12 min by road
  5. River DionardRiver DionardA salmon river under Foinaven.9 miles 18 min by road
  6. Sandwood BaySandwood BayA remote sweep of pale sand near Cape Wrath, guarded by the sea stack Am Buachaille and reached only by a four-mile path across the moor.10 miles 18 min by road
Directions
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 · 15 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 · 15 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 · 19 miles
A curved timber house glows with lit windows at dusk, set low into a grassy hillside.Port na ConHill CottageSleeps 2 · 23 miles
A curved timber-roofed house catches the evening light beside a sea loch, gorse and heather covering the foreground.LaidShore CottageSleeps 2 · 23 miles

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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
  • 12 miles from Loch na Thull
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
  • 12 miles from Loch na Thull
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
  • 15 miles from Loch na Thull
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
  • 15 miles from Loch na Thull
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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