Lochinver

Lochinver
Lochinver
Lochinver shown within the Sutherland area
Population 600 
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town LAIRG
Postcode district IV27
Dialling code 01571
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

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 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 a new Sports Centre.

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. Birdlife in Lochinver includes the curlew, oystercatcher and hooded crow.

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

In the 1890s, it was suggested that a railway be constructed from Invershin to Lochinver, to 'open up' the Highlands and provide a direct rail connection with ferries to the Western Isles. This scheme was as an alternative to a proposed route to Ullapool from Garve. In the event, neither were able to obtain funding.[1]

The Lochinver name was adopted in the 1950s by a large (35,000-acre or 14,000-hectare) sheep station in New Zealand's North Island.

Lochinver in film

References

  1. ↑ "Garve and Ullapool Railway Bill: Second Reading". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Hansard.millbanksystems.com. 31 May 1892. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Full record for 'HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS - A ROYAL TOUR'" Scottish Screen Archive. Retrieved 21 June 2010.

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