NORTHERN EXPOSURE
road through a mix of mountain and moorland. After passing Stac Pollaidh, with its craggy summit
seeming to be only a stone’s throw away from the road (but actually 2000ft up), the landscape evens out quite a bit, and arrives at Achnahaird beach. Arriving at Achiltibuie, there are views out over the sea towards the Torridon Mountains, away to the south of the region. Achiltibuie itself a major visitor attraction in the shape of the ‘Hydroponicum’. What’s that? Have you always thought that you need soil to grow plants? No, you don’t, and the Hydroponicum explains how. At the end of the road we arrive at the rustic
Achininver Youth Hostel. It’s a short walk from the car park for a night to remember. Achininver has all you would expect from a modern Youth Hostel, yet with a true feeling of stepping back in time. Te fantastic sunsets over the Summer Isles have never changed - and we hope they never will! Tis is a journey of constant scenery changes where hills full of character merge with dramatic coastline and at times only an occasional house or croft to remind you that you are only just in touch with civilisation. Take time to slow down in Wester Ross and enjoy all that’s on offer on the way.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WESTER ROSS We only have space here to include a small selection of the great things to see and do in Wester Ross. For the full journey, visit
www.celticfringe.org.uk and download the brochure. Our thanks to Douglas of Celtic Fringe for assistance with this article.
MEET OUR STAFF Carolyn
ACHININVER HOSTEL
Carolyn Hastings and dog Skye bring their own sunshine to the fantastic views from the Achininver Hostel (open May to August) in the Summer Isles for a second season
TORRIDON YOUTH HOSTEL HIGHLIGHTS
SYHA Hostelling Scotland’s purpose-built hostel in remote Wester Ross may be off the tourist trail, but there’s still lots happening for everyone to enjoy
Torridon Walking Festival Torridon is home to some of the grandest mountains in Scotland and when autumn arrives and the stags start rutting, the area is truly a magnificent location. Tere is no better way to experience this wonder than among the hills. In partnership with our friends at Torridon Activities, we are the main budget accommodation partner for the festival. A live music and quiz night combines with great craic
at the local pub ‘Te Torridon Inn’. Keep an eye on the Torridon page on our website for more information.
Not just for walkers Torridon attracts hill walkers and mountaineers, but there is also a fantastic range of other activities on the hostel’s doorstep. It is fast becoming the top destination for mountain bikers with a taste for the wild country of the north west. In partnership with
Torridon Activities, the hostel can offer mountain bike hire, kayaking, climbing and abseiling, gorge scrambling, archery and clay pigeon shooting. Perfect activities for a ‘rest’ day from the hills or if the weather’s not too great!
In addition, the Loch Torridon
community centre has been extended and now boasts a health and fitness suite, with yoga and Pilates sessions also available. Torridon is also the perfect
location for almost every
function such as a wedding, birthday, university reunion or celebrating completing your final Munro. Sole-use accommodation is available. For more information,
including details of winter opening, visit: the Torridon page at
www.hostellingscotland.com
2012 SCOTTISH HOSTELLER 29
HILLS AMAZING
AT EVERY TWIST AND TURN
Don’t miss out
OPEN NOW
WEEKENDS IN WINTER
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