Clachtoll Mill

This post picks up the baton from the last visit to the area as we wind our way back from Clachtoll towards Lochinver. 

C. Ordnance Survey

Leaving the site discussed in the last post we continue for approximately  half a mile until we approach, on the right hand side of the road, a  footpath leading down the side of the burn, directly towards the old mill located at Altan Na Bradhan. The footpath is on the right hand side of the road as you are travelling to Lochinver and follows the path of the burn feeding the mill. 

The path is, as you would expect, rocky, but it is clearly marked and the old mill comes into view very soon after leaving the road. The mill has been preserved by the Assynt Historical Society who do have an excellent website detailing the construction and workings of the Mill and this can be accessed by clicking on the link at the end of this post.

Mill stone and Mill Wall. c: Author

Information board at the site provided by Assynt Historical
Society. c: Author.

Once you have visited the mill, you have the choice of either continuing on past the mill, down towards the lovely beach, where you can spend a lovely time watching the blue waters for signs of whales, or turning around and retracing your steps, back across the burn, and immediately picking up the path that goes on over the coast towards the Beach and township area of Achmelvich. This is a path worth taking, if you have the time as you will reach the beautiful bay of Achmelvich, where whales and Dolphins can often be seen. 

As you start up the path you will walk through the Cathair Dhubh estate and holiday chalets, where there is evidence of a small settlement.

c: Author

c:Author

c:Author

These are wonderful remains and the structures have been protected from the unforgiving winds by the dunes and rocky escarpments surrounding them.

I will leave you here to carry on your walk to Achmelvich and the caravan park that forms the majority of the residency. Stop on the way at the croft at the peak of the walk and buy some lovely fresh produce and eggs for breakfast tomorrow. Make your way back along the road to the main road that we left and I will meet you later as we continue our walk to lochinver.

Assynt Historical Society.  http://www.normist.co.uk/mills.htm