1 The Far North West Kyle of Sutherland

An easy start in wooded country - no difficult hills.

The National Cycle Network and this route overlap at the start. The National Route heads north then east towards John o' Groats, while this route turns west towards the mountains. The scenery on the west coast is more dramatic but the pedalling effort is greater too!

You can get a train to Culrain, or for that matter drive, but it's also possible to cycle from Inverness using the National Cycle Network. Route 1 goes via the Black Isle and is also part of the wider international North Sea Cycle Route.

Culrain might be wee but there are two train stations close by, Culrain and Invershin the other side of the Kyle of Sutherland. There wasn't any way for people to get over other than on the train, hence the need for two stations. Flag the train down incidentally.

Once there were dire warnings in Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel telling cyclists not use the rail bridge. This saved you an eight mile diversion via Bonar Bridge going north, so a few risked the wrath of British Rail and sneaked over. Now there's a footbridge, it's not worth risking your life just to avoid a few steps.

Carbisdale is the flagship hostel of the SYHA, it was built as part of the divorce settlement of the Duchess of Sutherland so it's not really very old. During the Second World War the King of Norway lived there.

Route Description

Whether you are staying in Carbisdale Castle youth hostel, or in a B&B or hotel nearer to Bonar Bridge, it's important to begin the route on the west side of the Kyle of Sutherland (river and estuary). Coming north from Inverness you turn left at Ardgay before crossing the bridge over the Kyle to Bonar Bridge. This first section of the route will be signed with Route 1 cycle signs. Our route and the National Route go different ways near Culrain station. The National Route crosses over the Kyle to the A836 using a footbridge, while we continue north, then west, on the minor road on the west side of the Kyle. This lovely little minor road runs through wooded scenery for nine miles. The Kyle of Sutherland is on the right but this eventually narrows and becomes the River Oykel. Turn right to cross the river at the sign for Rosehall and Oykel Bridge. Turn left on to the A837. After another five miles you cross the river again at Oykel Bridge. It's worth having a coffee or perhaps some food at the Oykel Bridge Hotel (01549 441218) which is a lovely old hotel catering mainly for fishermen.

For other parts of this route, click Related above.