A red boat crosses a still loch, mountains rising on either shore.

Sutherland

North West Sea Tours

Boat trips from Kylesku into the sea lochs of Glencoul and Glendhu, to Britain's highest waterfall, with seals, seabirds and eagles along the way.

Welcome

At Kylesku, where two sea lochs meet under the curve of the bridge, a small red boat sets out from the harbour in front of the hotel.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

North West Sea Tours runs hour-long trips into the sheltered waters of Loch Glencoul and Loch Glendhu.

The great sight is Eas a' Chual Aluinn, the highest waterfall in Britain, dropping 200 metres down the rock at the head of Glencoul; in full flow it is more than three times the height of Niagara. Along the way there are seals hauled out on the rocks, with pups in season, seabirds on the cliffs, and golden eagles and white-tailed sea eagles over the ridges.

The skipper has been on these waters for thirty-five years. The boat sails three times a day, dogs are welcome aboard, and the Kylesku Hotel is right by the slipway for lunch afterwards.

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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

Daily sailings at 10.30am, noon and 2pm, each about an hour, from the harbour at Kylesku; arrive fifteen minutes early.

Book on the tours' own site. Dogs are welcome aboard.

Where: Kylesku, IV27 4HW, by the hotel.
Sailings: 10.30am, noon and 2pm.
Highlight: Eas a' Chual Aluinn, 200m high.

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Did you know

A fishing boat sits moored at a jetty, hills reflected in the still water beyond.

Did you know

Higher than Niagara.

Eas a' Chual Aluinn drops 200 metres, more than three times the height of Niagara Falls in full flow.

A red fishing boat sits moored at a stone jetty, bare hills reflected in the still water.

Did you know

Two kinds of eagle.

Golden eagles and white-tailed sea eagles are both seen from the boat.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Sutherland

From the little harbour at Kylesku, a small boat heads out into the sheltered sea lochs of Glencoul and Glendhu, where the mountains drop straight into the water. The great sight is Eas a' Chual Aluinn at the head of Glencoul, the highest waterfall in the UK, falling some 200 metres down the rock. Along the way there are seals hauled out on the rocks and seabirds on the cliffs, with a chance of golden eagles and sea eagles over the ridges. Bring a warm jacket and binoculars, and book ahead. Dogs are welcome aboard.

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 / 04

Where it is

From the little harbour at Kylesku, by the Kylesku Hotel, off the A894.

Close byKylesku.

Directions

Winding river through moorland with Suilven and Cul Mor peaks beyond

AttractionsAssynt8.3 miles

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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on 27 September 2026.