Achlochan Coastal Heritage

The natural shelters of the Achlochan peninsula, its coastal location, the presence of inland fresh-water and readily available construction materials have sustained settlers since the Iron Age. Geologists believe the lochan reed bed – the largest in Wester Ross, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – was once a sea loch and in more recent times a working waterway.

The peninsula’s ruined broch is one of the few in North-West Scotland and the nearby World War One rifle range and drill hall are similarly rare. Remains of 19th century kelp kilns and boat nausts (or shelters) point to the 19th century. The geological SSSI is of national importance as rocks of two different ages lie adjacent to one another.

The aims of the project are to:

• Safeguard and restore the peninsula’s natural, built and cultural heritage with managed and responsible access.
• Provide improved access for visitors and locals to heritage features and more information about them to help the public interpret and explore these heritage assets.
• Commence the first comprehensive archaeological survey of the broch and its surrounds before undertaking essential repairs to the surrounding buildings and consolidating the firing range.
• Reclaim an area of open water on Loch Poll an Dunan and add a small sheltered bird watching point overlooking it.