Day 1
Flyfishing in the North West Highlands
Start your 5-day itinerary of outdoor adventure activities in the scenic North Highlands coastal village of Lochinver, towered by the dramatic peaks of Suilven and Quinag. Here you’ll meet Stewart Yates, your guide for the day. Stewart, owner of Assynt Fly Fishing, will design a day for you to learn about the intricate art of trout and river fishing, tailored to your own abilities with all equipment included. You’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience of guided fly fishing, where you won’t only learn about this precise skill, but also connect deeply with the landscape. Through Stewart’s endless knowledge of the area’s history, nature, stories and legends you’ll quickly realise what makes this region so intoxicating to all its inhabitants and visitors.
After a day of exploring the majestic Assynt hills and lochs, you’ll be ready to settle for an evening of relaxation. 40 miles up the coast you’re guaranteed to sleep well at Oldshoremore Croft Cabins in North West Sutherland. Enjoy a cosy night’s sleep and wake up to glistening white sands of Achmelvich Beach, which on a sunny day, those tropical blues of the North Atlantic might even be mistaken for the Med, although we can’t promise matched temperatures!
Day 2
North Highland Walking and Hiking
Time to get back on the road for your next adventure. Head for Tongue where you can enjoy endless options of unspoiled walks and hikes. You won’t need to search hard to find something to suit any ability.
For those with a bit more scrambling knowledge and experience, why not try something more challenging, like bagging a Munro on your trip. Take to the towering peaks of Ben Loyal. This is a steep and boggy long-distance trail hike, but easily makes one of the most rewarding adventure activities in the North Highlands. When you reach the top, you’ll quickly forgive the hardy terrain and be reminded why this Ben is known as the Queen of Scottish Mountains, with an unbeatable reward of 360 degree views of the North Coast, both inland over the Flow Country and towards the ancient coastal causeway of Tongue.
For those looking for a lower-level walk and still be guaranteed stunning coastal views, make your way to Talmine, where you can enjoy the Achinver Beach Circuit. You’ll be treated to an array of crofting townships, ruins, bays and coastal cliffs. This walk offers a fantastic opportunity to embrace the history and beauty of Melness and all it has to offer.
Time to rest and recharge, you’ll need to sleep well for another day of adventure and activities tomorrow in and around the North Coast of the Scottish Highlands. Find everything you need for a comfortable night at the Tongue Hotel. They even offer secure storage for your supplies, from walking equipment to bicycles. With the onsite Varrich Restaurant you can enjoy a tasty dinner made with the highest quality of local produce to refuel you for tomorrow’s adventure, and even enjoy a well-earned beer or two in the bar.
Day 3
Surfing Scotland’s Best Coastlines
Make your way to Farr Bay, where Surf’s up and the boards will be out with North Coast Watersports for your pre-booked surf lesson with a stunning North Highland backdrop. Forget Hawaii, forget California, forget Cornwall. Beaches in the North of Scotland are where the action is when conditions are right. North Coast Watersports is run by two champions of the waves; no matter whether you’re a beginner surfer or a near professional, they’ll teach you the basics, fine-tune your rudimentals, and get you forgetting that the water’s anything other than balmy. The team also offer lessons at Thurso and Dunnet, just get in touch to choose your location. No matter where you are, there’s nothing quite like gliding the water while surrounded by such dramatic beauty. This really will be an experience to remember, your friends at home will need photographic evidence to believe it!
After your day on the waves (and once your warm and dry!) make your way to Thurso, where you can check into a comfortable static caravan at Thurso Bay Holidays. The site overlooks the water, so you can check the surf as soon as you wake. Banter about the day’s best waves as you watch Orkney gently fade into the horizon at dusk.
Dinner is sorted with a sit-in cosy bar meal at the Station Hotel, just a 10-minute walk into town. Then treat yourself to a warming dram, why not? You have had a busy day in the North Atlantic!
Day 4
Cycling on the North Coast 500
Wake up feeling right and ready for another day of adventure. Head south down the East Coast of Sutherland, where a world of land-based adventures awaits.
You’ve already ticked most of the adventure boxes on this trip – fishing, hiking and surfing, but today you’ll be taking to two wheels with Kev Stacey, owner of 42 Cycling. Kev will design a professional and bespoke North Highlands bike adventure package for you, full of exciting activities. You’ll discover this corner of the region by the saddle, totally tailored to your own ability. Maybe you’ll enjoy the views looking over Golspie from the statue of the Mannie on Ben Bragghie on a tour of the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trails, or maybe you’ll chose a more relaxed venture by paved road and experience some of the North Coast 500 on your cycling tour. Regardless of what you opt for, Kev can ensure an undoubtedly rewarding experience of the region!
Now it’s time to check into your East Sutherland Accommodation. Make your way to the picturesque town of Dornoch, famed for its golf, but tonight you’ll be basking in its luxury. Check into the Dornoch Station Hotel, which will be home for the next two nights. Enjoy a stylish and locally-sourced meal in The Golden Gorse, and why not have a look at the cocktail menu? You’ve earned it. Next stop – bed, before a final day of activities tomorrow!
Day 5
Shooting, Archery and Axe Throwing in Dornoch
Today you’re staying local, and it’s time to check how steady your aim is with an archery or clay pigeon shooting lesson with Connell Outdoor Pursuits near Dornoch. Highland Archery experiences, axe throwing, and outdoor clay-pigeon shooting are on offer there; they’ll even pick you up from your accommodation and design a day that allows you to experience all three. And all in the stunning centre of Sutherland.
And now it’s back to the hotel for an early night before heading home in the morning after a busy few days of embracing the very best of outdoor adventure activities in the North Highlands. New skills, experiences and memories to last a lifetime, but don’t worry, going home just means it’s time to start planning your next adventure to this incredible corner of the world.