The Sutherland's Wild and Winding Road This is a single-track road that is 24 miles long and goes from Lochinver to Kylesku in the most remote part of the Scottish highlands. It passes through coastal scenery, rocky plains dotted with lochans, very high and very steep rugged mountains, narrow twisting roads in places, and a route in the countryside with many blind, hairpin turns. You can find what is often considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging trails in Sutherland right here. After leaving Lochinver, you will soon pass the junction for the road to Achmelvich beach. Situated four kilometres to the north-west of this route, Achmelvich beach is a fantastic location for swimming and other water-based activities. If you are a nature lover, you may even get the chance to see some of the whales and dolphins that are frequently found in these waters. There is a huge parking lot, public restrooms, and a tiny shack dedicated to providing tourists with information. The road leading to the beach is winding and narrow, and it only has one lane. There is a campground, a caravan park, a hostel, and spaces for touring caravans, tents, and self-catering caravans and tents. Self-catering accommodations are located in static caravans at the campground. After you've had some time to relax and enjoy the beach, you'll head back to the path. Difficulty Rating for the First Stage: Moderate Information Regarding the Initial Phase: Continue on through the small crofting townships of Clachtoll and Stoer. These are separate crofts that have been created on the better land, and a huge area of hill ground that is of lower quality is used by all of the crofters of the township for the grazing of their cattle. Then continue on to the Stoer Lighthouse, which was constructed by Stevenson in the year 1870. The lighthouse is now automated, and the keeper's house has been converted into a self-catering vacation rental. A short walk from the lighthouse will lead you to the famous sea stack known as the Old Man of Stoer, which is a pinnacle of rock that rises approximately 200 feet out of the water. Other nearby tourist attractions include the Assynt Visitor Centre, Highland Stoneware, Information Regarding the Second Stage Clashnessie is yet another diminutive crofting community that can be found strewn along the sandy shore of Clashnessie Bay. Clashnessie is located further along the road. On this route, not only do you get to experience fantastic driving with twists and turns, but you also get beautiful views out to sea across Clashnessie and Edrachillis Bays as well as spectacular vistas inland to the highlands of Quinag and Suilven. Keeping on this path until you reach Drumbeg, the viewpoint will reward you with breathtaking vistas of the islands in the bay. The Drumbeg village store has been in operation for more than a century. It is a well-stocked licenced grocer and delicatessen that specialises in Scottish produce. In addition, the store sells regional arts and crafts, books, maps and guides, and light snacks. Additionally, the village has a number of bed and breakfasts as well as a hotel. Although Drumbeg itself does not have a harbour, Culkein Drumbeg is only a short distance away and may be reached through a side road that leads north from a junction on the B869 about half a mile west of the hamlet. At the tail end of the 1800s, in an effort to stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area, the construction of a jetty took place on this picturesque hillside community. Third Stage Information: From Drumbeg, follow the route to conclude at the settlement of Kylesku. Kylesku is a little distant fishing hamlet, and it is one of the quietest locations you are ever likely to come across. It is also home to a jetty for fishing boats based in the local area. In the early 1800s, this location saw the introduction of a passenger ferry. However, because the boat could only carry people, cattle on their way to market in central Scotland were forced to swim over the water. Throughout the years, many different ferries have come and gone, and between the wars, the first time that tiny boats that could carry automobiles was introduced. Today, there is a bridge that is just 276 metres in length, and it spans a body of water that is only 130 metres wide. The bridge has a curved form, and the Queen officially opened it in 1984.