Lochinver

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Lochinver (Loch an Inbhir in Gaelic) is a village on the coast in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. A few miles northeast is Loch Assynt which is the source of the River Inver which flows into Loch Inver at the village. There are 200 or so lochans in the area which makes the place very popular with anglers. Lochinver is dominated by the "sugar loaf" shape of Caisteal Liath, the summit peak of nearby Suilven.

Lochinver is the second largest fishing port in Scotland; frequented by European fishermen primarily from Spain, Portugal and France. Lochinver underwent a major renewal project in the 1990s where the harbour area was rebuilt and a new and much improved loading area was created. This new development involved blasting an area of several hectares out of the surrounding rock. At present the area is mostly undeveloped with the exception of the new Sports Centre, but if space was to become a problem the process could be continued into the surrounding hillside.

The back of Lochinver is a beautiful part of Assynt with local tourism and nature areas being developed in conjunction with small-scale forestry activities.

Other local villages worth mentioning include Inverkirkaig – accessed by the road leading up the River Culag – and on the coastal road north: Achmelvich, Clashmore, Stoer, Clashnessie and Drumbeg.