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I have always been drawn to this part of Loch Assynt mainly because of the scattered islands bearing Scots Pines, both living and dead. Trees are a rarity in Sutherland, the south lands to the Vikings, who, according to W H Murray's excellent book 'The West Highlands of Scotland', burned down all the great forests along the coast.
I suspect the red deer population is a contributory factor in preventing regeneration of the forests excepting on protected lands, or, as in this case, islands. I will usually stop here regardless of the weather in the hope of being able to get another photograph of this part of the loch.
This was taken on an overcast day at the beginning of April, and as spring starts late this far north the land still has its wintry appearance; it is May before the effects of spring start to become apparent.
North-west Highland Place Names
The landscape of the North-west Highlands and the Gaelic language are intimately connected. Other languages have contributed to the richness of our place names, notably Norse, but the North-west Highlands have for centuries been a Gaelic landscape. In listing the meanings of place names I have relied on authoritative sources wherever possible. For further information about sources please refer to North-west Highland Place Names in the main menu.
Assynt; From the Norse Asaint or Asaint meaning ‘ridge end’.
Loch Assynt; Named after the parish of Assynt – see Assynt.
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