Assynt

Ardvreck Castle, located in Assynt parish

The Globe, Knockan Crag

Assynt is a parish in west Sutherland, Highland, Scotland – north of Ullapool.

It is famous for its landscape (Inverpolly Nature Reserve) and its remarkable mountains (Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mòr, Stac Pollaidh, Ben More Assynt). Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, which includes a visitor centre interpreting the geological feature the Moine Thrust, is part of the 'North West Highlands Geopark'.^[1][2] Assynt hosts the longest cave in Scotland, Uamh An Claonaite, which lies five miles south of Inchnadamph.^[3]

The name Assynt may derive from an Old Norse word 'A-ssynt meaning seen from afar and/or from Ass which is Old Norse for rocky. There is also a 'vague tradition' that the name comes from a fight between the two brothers Unt and Ass-Unt, (meaning Man of Peace and Man of Discord). The latter having won the tussle gave his name to the parish.^[4]

In June 2005 the Glencanisp estate, including Suilven and the neighbouring Drumrunie estate, were bought by the local community^[5]. The Assynt Foundation aims to create local employment and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations, and for the enjoyment of the wider public.

Settlements

Inchnadamph

Communities in Assynt include:

• Achmelvich
• Ardvar – location
• Balchladich – location
• Clachtoll – location
• Clashnessie
• Culkein – location
• Drumbeg – location
• Elphin – location
• Glencoul
• Inchnadamph
• Inverkirkaig
• Kylesku
• Lochinver
• Nedd
• Raffin
• Stoer

References

1. ^ North West Highlands Geopark. North West Highlands Geopark. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
2. ^ Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve: Rock Art. Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-09-08.
3. ^ "Peter Glanvill Photography: Claonaite" darkanddeep.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
4. ^ Strang, Tom. (1975) The Northern Highlands. Edinburgh. Scottish Mountaineering Club.
5. ^ Assynt group buys estates in deal, BBC News Online, 3 June, 2005

External links

• Assynt Foundation
• Discover Assynt
• Gazetteer for Scotland
• Assynt's geology

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