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Lochinver

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Lochinver is a coastal Village 93 miles northwest of Inverness, one of the most remote areas in Scotland known as Assynt in Sutherland.

Lochinver is popular for its Scenic Bay, Highland Stoneware, and a number of scenic mountains including the dome shaped Suilven.

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The image top is of Loch Inver Bay looking out towards the Isle of Lewis.

The second image is of the Marina at the south side of the Village with a fairly large Fish Market and Seafood Bar.

The Culag Hotel is on the south side, close to the Marina.

The Town Hall and Visitor Centre are in the centre of the Village, by the War Memorial and Kids Play.

The Caberfeidh Bar & Restaurant is also in the centre of the Village, specializing in Seafood and Game.

Assynt Free Church is on the north side of the Village, a good place for views out to Suilven Mountain.

The Highland Stoneware Company is also on the north side of the Village, an interesting place to visit to view pieces being hand painted and the Shops large display of Stoneware.

The Inver Lodge Hotel sits up on a hillside with views over the Village. You can walk up past the hotel to the top of the hill for great views of Suilven, or even drive to the top.

Suilven Mountain is about 7 miles out from Lochinver with the hiking car park being about 1 mile east of the Village, so a 6 mile hike through Moorland before you start on the path to the top. The Mountain is 731 m / 2,398 ft in height, not the highest in Scotland, but one of the most famous due to its shape and with it standing alone.

Lochinver History

5000 BC - this area was largely covered by woodland, said to be home to small groups of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers.

4000 BC - the herding of livestock begins with settlements evolving at a time the climate was warmer and drier than it is today. The remains of over 30 Chambered Cairns built around that time are in the area.

2,400 BC - people are said to have began cereal production alongside livestock farming, living in Round Houses.

1500 BC - the climate turned colder and wetter, leading to many settlements being abandoned.

500 BC - the people that remained in the area tended to live in large Round Houses close to the Coast or on Islands. There are the remains of about 10 large Round Houses in the area.

800s - the Vikings began settling in the Northern and Western Isles, and parts of north Scotland. There have been a number of Viking artifacts found in the area.

1200s? - Clan MacNichol were credited with clearing the area of Cattle Rustlers.

1300s - Clan MacLeod were given control of the area by King David II.

1400s - Ardvreck Castle was built 11 miles east of Lochinver for the MacLeod's.

1600s - Clan MacKenzie took control of the area.

1757 - the Sutherland's gained control of the area.

1812 - the Sutherland's began clearing Crofters from the area to make way for large scale sheep farming.

Some locals took to fishing, moved south to large towns and cities, or emigrated to America and Canada.

Any locals seen as disruptive, could be accused of sheep steeling, cattle rustling, or a number of petty crimes, so they could be deported to the penal colonies in Australia.

1873 - the Culag Hotel was built as a shooting lodge.

1973 - a documentary about Prince Charles named The Highlands and Islands - A Royal Tour, was part filmed around Lochinver.

1990s - Lochinver Fishing Port was extended, becoming the second largest fishing port in Scotland, used by fishermen around Europe.

2005 - the people of Assynt bought the Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates that cover 44,594 acres around Lochinver from the Vestey family that owns vast amounts of land in the area. The Estates contain the Mountains - 2,398 ft Suilven, 2,779 ft Canisp, 2,785 ft Cul Mor, and 2,523 ft Cul Beag.

Glencanisp Lodge also became the property of the people of Assynt. This was a former Deer Stalking Lodge of Vesty family that made their fortune with food production around the world from 1897.

Glencanisp Lodge is now run as a B&B or for self catering.

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Lochinver Photos
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