Bay of Culkein

Bay in Sutherland

Scotland

Bay of Culkein

Icehouses at Culkein The icehouses were filled during the winter and the ice was used during the salmon fishing season to preserve salmon in transit to southern markets.   The salmon fishers' bothy is above the beach.
Icehouses at Culkein Credit: Iain A Robertson

The Bay of Culkein is a picturesque coastal inlet located in the county of Sutherland, Scotland. Situated on the northwest coast, this bay offers breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding rugged cliffs and hills.

With its pristine sandy beach and clear turquoise waters, the Bay of Culkein is a popular destination for visitors seeking tranquility and natural beauty. The beach stretches for approximately a mile, providing ample space for those looking to relax, take a leisurely stroll, or engage in water activities such as swimming and kayaking. The bay is also home to an abundance of marine life, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

The bay is surrounded by steep cliffs and rolling hills, creating a stunning backdrop for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. The area is rich in wildlife, and visitors may have the opportunity to spot various bird species, including puffins, gannets, and cormorants. Seals and dolphins are also occasionally spotted in the bay, adding to its allure.

Access to the Bay of Culkein is relatively easy, with a car park and a footpath leading down to the beach. Nearby amenities include a café and restroom facilities, ensuring visitors have a comfortable experience.

Overall, the Bay of Culkein is a hidden gem along the Scottish coast, offering a tranquil and idyllic setting for individuals seeking to immerse themselves in nature's beauty.

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Bay of Culkein Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.246603/-5.3376393 or Grid Reference NC0433. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Icehouses at Culkein The icehouses were filled during the winter and the ice was used during the salmon fishing season to preserve salmon in transit to southern markets.   The salmon fishers' bothy is above the beach.
Icehouses at Culkein
The icehouses were filled during the winter and the ice was used during the salmon fishing season to preserve salmon in transit to southern markets. The salmon fishers' bothy is above the beach.
Geodh Dearg near Point of Stoer. View SE
Geodh Dearg near Point of Stoer. View SE
Faint coastal path along coast N of Culkein
Faint coastal path along coast N of Culkein
Coastline N of Culkein with view towards Rubh' an Dunain
Coastline N of Culkein with view towards Rubh' an Dunain
House at Achnacarnin
House at Achnacarnin
An Uaile Hill pasture, Clashnessie.
An Uaile
Hill pasture, Clashnessie.
Holiday lets at Culkein
Holiday lets at Culkein
Lily pond, Culkein
Lily pond, Culkein
Holiday cottage with a view, Clashmore
Holiday cottage with a view, Clashmore
The old school at Achnacarnin
The old school at Achnacarnin
White cottage, evening sun A view towards the white cottage which is unnamed on maps. Over and beyond the sunlit hillside is the dark shape of Quinag.
White cottage, evening sun
A view towards the white cottage which is unnamed on maps. Over and beyond the sunlit hillside is the dark shape of Quinag.
Coastal scene at Port Cam Evening light on the coast near Culkein, looking across towards the distant mountains of Foinaven and Arkle.
Coastal scene at Port Cam
Evening light on the coast near Culkein, looking across towards the distant mountains of Foinaven and Arkle.
Former school, Achnacarnin The nearby Stoer Primary School closed in 2016, whilst this one, only a mile or so along the road has been closed for many years. Now converted into a private dwelling, it must once have served Achnacarnin, Clashmore and Culkein.  Many nearby properties are holiday rentals, whilst there are very few residents in the area with young families.
Former school, Achnacarnin
The nearby Stoer Primary School closed in 2016, whilst this one, only a mile or so along the road has been closed for many years. Now converted into a private dwelling, it must once have served Achnacarnin, Clashmore and Culkein. Many nearby properties are holiday rentals, whilst there are very few residents in the area with young families.
Dunlin on the shore Just two of at least 50 dunlin that were feeding on the grass just above Culkein beach.
Dunlin on the shore
Just two of at least 50 dunlin that were feeding on the grass just above Culkein beach.
Culkein beach Looking east across the bay towards the outline of distant Quinag.
Culkein beach
Looking east across the bay towards the outline of distant Quinag.
Erratic on the clifftop A boulder of Lewisian Gneiss resting on a gently sloping platform of Torridonian sandstone. An erratic brought here by the actions of ice.
Erratic on the clifftop
A boulder of Lewisian Gneiss resting on a gently sloping platform of Torridonian sandstone. An erratic brought here by the actions of ice.
View towards the bay at Culkein A ruined cottage stands by the bay, whilst in the distance [approx. 20km] rises the unmistakeable shape of Suilven.
View towards the bay at Culkein
A ruined cottage stands by the bay, whilst in the distance [approx. 20km] rises the unmistakeable shape of Suilven.
Heading for the beach Ewe and lamb saunter down the road in Culkein with no particular plan other than to find tasty grass.
Heading for the beach
Ewe and lamb saunter down the road in Culkein with no particular plan other than to find tasty grass.
Show me another place!

Bay of Culkein is located at Grid Ref: NC0433 (Lat: 58.246603, Lng: -5.3376393)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///spicy.easygoing.processor. Near Clachtoll, Highland

Related Wikis

Culkein

Culkein Stoer (Scottish Gaelic: An Cùl-cinn) is a remote former fishing village, centred on the Bay of Culkein, in Assynt in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands...

Achnacarnin

Achnacarnin (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh nan Càrnan) is a village on the headland of Point of Stoer in Lairg, Sutherland, within the Scottish local authority...

Clashmore, Assynt

Clashmore (Scottish Gaelic: An Clais Mór) is a scattered township in Assynt, in Sutherland, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is situated on...

Clashnessie

Clashnessie (Scottish Gaelic: Clais an Easaidh) is a small crofting community on the North-West coast of Scotland; specifically in the Assynt area of Sutherland...

Old Man of Stoer

The Old Man of Stoer is a 60-metre-high (200 ft) sea stack of Torridonian sandstone in Sutherland, Scotland, close to the villages of Culkein and Stoer...

Balchladich

Balchladich (Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Chladaich) is a remote township in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish...

Stoer

Stoer (Scottish Gaelic: An Stòr) is a crofting township in the parish of Assynt, Sutherland, in the Highlands of Scotland and in the council area of Highland...

Oldany Island

Oldany Island (formerly Oldney Island) is an uninhabited island in Assynt, Sutherland, north-west Scotland. The name is Norse in origin and possibly means...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.246603,-5.3376393
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.2429736/-5.3425778
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.2433237/-5.342728
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.2436653/-5.3428192
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.2439505/-5.3426797
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.2441114/-5.3425242
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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