The centre was not open at the time we were there but there was a display of local rocks outside which was interesting (well, if you are at all interested in geology it is!). The centre also doubles as the local tourist information centre, it was opened in 1995 by Magnus Magnusson, who is the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage.
The latest bit of technology is started to pay off with live video of a Heron’s next. The camera is way up a tree and brings excellent views of the habits of these birds. Nesting boxes have also being fitted with camera so there will be plenty to see. May is the month for Heron watching.
The centre offers Fishing or Angling permits for sale via the Assynt Crofters Trust. Permits for the hill lochs around Lochinver and Stoer. You can also join one of the many courses that is offered here, for example this year there has already been a “living willow” workshop and a course on “native woodland and historical uses”. There are still lots of other courses and workshops to happen throughout the summer so contact Andy Summers on 01571 844654 to find out more. The courses are open to everyone and the fees are from approx £5 for a day course, non-members pay more but one year’s membership is included. Under 16 and unemployed are free.
There are displays and information on the Assynt area created by Assynt Tourism Group, with games and things for children to do, paper and colouring pencils, CD Rom of Assynt, reference section on geology, history, wildlife, walking etc, what to see in Assynt and recent wildlife sightings, videos and a telescope overlooking busy Lochinver harbour with views of seals, a touch table and fish tank with animals you come across in rock pools, geology specimens etc. It also includes live pictures of a Heron nest and inside a blue tit nest box as well as geology exhibits and information about the North west highlands Geopark.
The area also has several small historical sights, such as the ancient broch and the salmon fishing cottage at Clachtoll, the old mill at Alltan na Bradhan and relics of WWII near the lighthouse.
Assynt Visitor Centre opening times:
Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm and closed on Sunday.
Contact:
Tourist Information Centre Lochinver
Assynt Visitor Centre
Tel: +44 (8452) 255121
Fax: +44 (1506) 832222
E-mail: andy…@highland.gov.uk
Website http://www.assynt.info/page8.html
Click on the image for larger view
Highland Regional Council Ranger Service in Assynt
Upstairs in the Visitor Centre is the base for the Ranger Service in Assynt. The Rangers run and maintain the Ranger Hut at Clachtoll, organise walks and events throughout the year and provide an information service for the locals as well as visitors. Their programme of events is published annually, both on a local sheet and in “What’s On in Caithness and Sutherland”. In the Centre, there are facilities for watching the local heronry on CCTV, in season, and a reference library of material on natural history, geology, and local history.
Contact:
Andy Summers, Senior Ranger
Tel: 01571 844654
Location:
Tourist Information Centre Lochinver
The Assynt Visitor Centre Kirk Lane, Lochinver
Sutherland IV27 4LT
Scotland, UK
