Achmelvich
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|---|---|
  Achmelvich Location within theSutherland area | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LAIRG |
| Postcode district | IV27 |
| Dialling code | 01571 844 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament |
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| 58°10′N5°18′W / 58.17°N 5.30°W /58.17; -5.30 | |
Achmelvich (Gaelic:Achadh Mhealbhaich) is a settlement situated in theHighland region ofScotland. The name comes from the Gaelic "Achadh" - a plain or meadow and "mealbhaich" - sandydunes.[1]
Achmelvich lies three miles (five kilometres) northwest ofLochinver, and 40 miles (65 kilometres) north ofUllapool, in the northwest of theScotland, accessed bysingle-track road which leads from the B869 coastal tourist route. Despite the difficult road, the area is popular with tourists.
As a settlement, Achmelvich is spread over the surrounding hillsides, with the focal point being thebeach which has consistently been awarded "MCS recommended" status[2] and also given the blue flag award.[3] There are twocamping andcaravan parks open for business, both have residentialcaravans to let, although only one has pitches fortents,camper vans and caravans.[4][5] There is also a smalllaundrette,shop and atakeaway. These sites overlook thebeach, with views out into theMinch as well asPort Altan Na Bradhan.
The main beach car park is separated from the beach by themachair and has recently been upgraded. TheYouth Hostel,[6]Tourist Information Hut and public toilets are all located by the main beach car park.
Water-skiing,windsurfing andcoasteering are popular pursuits on the beach. The production of a beach management guide in 2004 led todogs being banned from the beach during the peak tourist season and neither of the camping and caravan sites allow dogs.
The unique morphology of the area means there are many nearby walks and climbs, includingSuilven, for those interested inhiking. TheInchnadamph National Nature Reserve, which is well within driving distance, has manycaves andpot holes as well as being the access route toConival andBen More Assynt, the area's twoMunros.
There are alsofishing opportunities to be had both in the sea, withcod,haddock,whiting,pollack,saithe andmackerel being common catches, or in the local lochs (subject to permit) which are stocked withtrout,salmon andArctic char.[1]
Assynt is renowned for having diverse wildlife and Achmelvich is no exceptions withcetaceans,seals,basking sharks,otters,pine martens,ospreys andwhite-tailed eagles having been seen in the area.[7]
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Achmelvich is home to what is reputedly Europe's smallest castle, known locally asHermit's Castle.[8] The castle was built in the 1950s by an English architect (David Scott), who left the area shortly after completion, spending only a weekend in the castle he spent months building. The castle was vandalised in the 1970s, when the windows were smashed and the door removed, but it is not unknown for people to use the castle as abothy.
The detail design of this structure may give a clue to its popular name, as the entrance aperture consists of a tall but very narrow slit barely a foot wide. In this regard the design may be said to approach the concept of ananchorite's (or hermit's) cell, a ceremonially bricked up enclosure whose sole access was only large enough to allow for the passage of food in and waste out.
Another feature of great interest is that the structure is perched quite high above, and close to the edge of, a small inlet of the sea, and the above-mentioned aperture is on the seaward side. This results in the need to enter the Castle from below. Such a location also suggests a defensive aspect to the design. Combined with the quite strong resemblance to apill-box or similar military structure, this leads one to speculate exactly what the Castle's architect designer had in his mind when building it.
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