Tucked away in the wild, rugged landscape of northwest Sutherland, Kylesku is one of my favourite spots along the North Coast 500 road trip.
Best known for its dramatic bridge and peaceful setting on three lochs, Kylesku is more than a photo op at the famous Kylesku Bridge.
It’s a place to discover one of the most beautiful corners of the Scottish Highlands. Kylesku is one of my favourite places to spend some time.
Whether you’re road-tripping the NC500 or looking for a place to escape from the crowds, here’s why Kylesku should make your itinerary – and what to do once you arrive.
Here is how to visit Kylesku.
Kylesku Accommodation
Newton Lodge
A boutique hotel, bar and restaurant with panoramic views of Quinag and Loch Glencoul and Newton Lodge is the prefect spot for exploring the area around Kylesku or as an escape from the North Coast 500.
The hotel offers a true warm and (dog) friendly Highland escape with fabulous fine dining in the hotel restaurant.
Read my review of Newton Lodge. Book Newton Lodge.
The Kylesku Hotel
Beside the famous Kylesku Bridge on the North Coast 500 is the Kylesku Hotel serving up great seafood landed right outside your door.
The rooms are smart and have special views out over Loch Gleann Dubh.
Book: The Kylesku Hotel.
So, tell me more about Kylesku
Kylesku (pronounced Kyle-skew) is not even a hamlet. Home to a few scattered houses, two hotels and a fishing slipway, Kylesku is more famous for its bridge than as a place.
But that is what makes this spot so special, for as most visitors pass through, a stop here gives you time to breathe.
Kylesku is located in the Assynt region of Sutherland in the northwestern Highlands of Scotland.
Roughly halfway between Ullapool and Durness, it sits directly on the NC500 route, making it an ideal stopping point for road trippers.
Over looked by the three corbetts of the mighty Quinag (Quin-ack) and Beinn Leoid and the Stack of Glencoul, Kylesku sits at the meeting of three lochs, Loch Glencoul, Loch a Chairn Bhain and Loch Gleann Dubh.
The skies are big and ever changing with the weather and the light is just magical.
The Kylesku Bridge Scotland
Visitors heading up the west coast of Scotland to Durness were once met by a 100 mile detour via Lairg or a ferry to cross Caolas Cumhann, the narrow straight over Loch a Chairn Bhain.
Imagine the campervan tailbacks now if the Kylesku Bridge hadn’t been opened in 1984.
The Drochaid a’ Chaolais Chumhaing to give it its proper name is A listed – and quite simply is a beautiful bridge.
Things to do at Kylesku
Kylesku is the region of Assynt, to the north Eddrachilles and Durness. Here is what to get up to at Kylesku.
Take a Kylesku boat trip
Take a boat trip out on the loch to Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, Britain’s highest waterfall, wildlife spotting along the way.
Boat trips run from the slipway outside the Kylesku Hotel and are operated by North West Sea Tours. Book online.
Explore The Bone Caves
Discover these unusual caves on a cliff face, where the bones of polar bears (yes really!), wolf, lynx, arctic fox and brown bears have been found.
The walk up to the Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves) along the Allt nan Uamh burn is beautiful – watch out for where the burn emerges from the base of a crag! Explore the Bone Caves with this circuit (3 miles, 2 hours).
Hike to Sandwood Bay Beach
It might be an eight-mile walk to Sandwood Bay and back, but boy is the hike worth the trek. This is one of Scotland’s best beaches and has a spectacular sea stack – Am Buchaille.
Take a RIB to Handa Island
One of Scotland’s most beautiful islands and a nationally important wildlife reserve, Handa Island is home to Puffins, rare Bonxies, stunning views of the Assynt mountains.
A visit to the island is by boat (£15 cash only) and takes around 4 hours (10 mins on the ferry, and to walk around the island).
Visit Ardvreck Castle
Sitting on the banks of Loch Assynt sits the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, once the 15th-century stronghold of Clan MacLeod, longtime owners of the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Lewis and Harris. Ardvreck is one of the most popular photo stops on the North Coast 500.
Above the castle towers the mighty Quinag – one of the best hills to climb in Assynt.
Discover The Knockan Crag
A site of special scientific interest famous for the Highland’s Controversy – a long-running argument between geologists about the age of the rocks here.
There is a visitor centre for those interested to find out just why the debate over Knockan Crag was so bitter and a walking trail for those just wishing to take in the incredible views.
Drive the Drumbeg Loop / Mad Wee Road
Achmelvich and Clachtoll Beaches are two beautiful beaches well worth tackling the famous ‘mad wee road’ to visit.
For nervous drivers, it is best to visit these beaches from the Lochinver side, the Drumbeg loop is a single track road which hugs the coast complete with blind summits and turns – one road it is best not to take a campervan down!
Visit Ullapool
This port and harbour town is a great place to stay in Sutherland. Ullapool sits on the shores of beautiful Loch Broom, beneath the 9 munros of the Fannich mountains.
Grab a drink at one of the waterfront bars and watch the boats come and go to the Outer Hebrides
Climb Stac Pollaidh
One of Scotland’s best hill walks, with a well-made path to the summit, easy and fun scrambling over its pinnacles and ridges and incredible views over the Assynt mountains.
> Read more: climb Stac Pollaidh
> Read more: How to visit Lochinver and Assynt
> Stay here: Newton Lodge.
Love from Scotland x