Sutherland Assynt & West Coast
North West Sutherland is a thriving coastal community boasting some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. The area is a natural playground of pristine beaches with turquoise waters, sandy caves, rugged coastlines and sea stacks, set against rolling green hills and expansive moorland. Little wonder it’s designated a UNESCO status guarded by several natural and maritime protected areas.
Despite the rugged and remote landscape, the patchwork of villages across North West Sutherland are thriving. From the lively harbour towns of Lochinver and Kinlochbervie to the largely untouched natural beauty of Durness and Cape Wrath, these are communities you will quickly call home.
Top three reasons to move to Sutherland Assynt & West Coast:
Breathtaking beaches
Fine white sand, turquoise blue waters and atmospheric caves that rival the finest in the Med.
Thriving villages
This is not sleepy Highland life, but a lively network of communities offering outstanding local produce, arts and crafts.
Haven for environmentalists
The diversity of wildlife in both land and sea make this a perfect spot for the study of environmental science.
Discover our regions
Lochinver is a busy and popular village, centred around the second largest fishing port in Scotland. The area is surrounded by mountains, lochs and waterfalls, part of the beautiful North West Highland Geopark. The village has a lovely selection of shops and a vibrant artisan sector, giving it a unique sense of place.
Moving up the coast, Kinlochbervie is the most northerly port in the North West of Scotland, in one of the most striking and remote locations. This large commercial harbour is an important landing base for European fishing, and supports a thriving community. The crystal clear waters host a Historic Maritime Protection Area and are popular with divers keen to discover the rich marine life. This includes seals, dolphins, whales, porpoises, orca and killer whales, and even basking sharks.
Cape Wrath, on the very tip of the mainland, is a Spectacular Landscape Area and home to 50,000 nesting seabirds of international importance.
Wherever you choose to base yourself, you will find an area of outstanding natural beauty and a lively community to welcome you.
Durness
Perched on the far north-west coast, Durness is a breathtakingly remote village known for its white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and expansive skies. This is where the Highlands meet the sea spectacularly. The rugged coastline is home to Smoo Cave, one of Scotland’s largest sea caves, and to wide, untouched beaches like Balnakeil Bay, a haven for walkers, photographers, and surfers alike.
Despite its remote location, Durness is a vibrant and creative community. The village has a primary school, shop, petrol station, café, bar and golf club, along with a popular craft village set in a former RAF base, home to artists, jewellers, and chocolatiers. The Balnakeil Craft Village is also home to the late John Lennon’s former holiday retreat, adding a touch of rock’n’roll history to this peaceful place.
The area is rich in natural beauty and Norse-Gaelic heritage, with hill walks, wildlife, and archaeological sites all around. Each summer, the Durness Highland Gathering brings the community together with traditional sports, music, and dance. For those seeking a slower pace, rich creativity, and extraordinary scenery, Durness offers something truly special.
Kinlochbervie
Tucked away at the end of a single-track road, Kinlochbervie is one of the most north-westerly settlements on mainland Britain. It’s a rugged fishing village where the working harbour remains the beating heart of the community, and the Atlantic Ocean feels like part of everyday life. Kinlochbervie offers a range of essential amenities, including a high school, primary school, medical centre, post office, fuel station, and several small shops and eateries which pride themselves on local produce.
Its deep-water harbour continues to support a busy local fishing industry, giving the area a proud, hardworking character. Surrounding Kinlochbervie are some of the most breathtaking and untouched landscapes in the Highlands, including Oldshoremore, Polin, and Sandwood Bay, the latter only reachable by a 4-mile walk across moorland and widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. For lovers of solitude, wild nature, and dramatic light, this area is a dream come true.
Kylesku
Famous for its striking bridge and stunning fjord-like setting, Kylesku is a tiny hamlet with a big impact. Located where Loch Glencoul meets Loch Glendhu, Kylesku sits at the gateway to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Highlands. Although small, Kylesku is home to a popular hotel and restaurant renowned for its seafood, which is landed just some 100 meters away and it draws in visitors travelling the NC500 or exploring the North West Highlands Geopark. Boat trips from here venture into remote sea lochs to spot seals, dolphins, and the towering cliffs of Eas a’ Chual Aluinn—the highest waterfall in the UK.
Just a mile away lies the Rock Stop. The North West Highland Geopark Visitor Centre and Café, which not only houses an interactive free exhibition explaining the meaning of the landscape but also hosts regular community events, such as live music and information evenings. Kylesku offers a unique blend of remoteness, accessibility, and unforgettable scenery. For those looking to live in close touch with nature, with history and wilderness all around, it’s a place that feels truly elemental.
Lochinver
Nestled on the shores of Loch Inver and surrounded by a ring of iconic mountains like Suilven and Canisp, Lochinver is a west coast gem known for its spectacular setting and rich artistic life. A traditional fishing village with a modern, creative twist, Lochinver has become a magnet for artists, writers, foodies, and adventurers. The village boasts a busy harbour, an award-winning pie shop, several galleries, a village hall, cafés and restaurants, a small supermarket, a health centre, and a primary school.
The area’s slower pace and strong sense of community attract both retirees and remote workers looking for space to breathe and inspiration from nature. Lochinver also forms part of the North West Highlands Geopark, and offers endless walking, kayaking, climbing, and wildlife-watching opportunities. Whether you’re drawn by the view of Suilven, the fresh seafood, or the peaceful creative energy, Lochinver is a place people come to, and often never want to leave.
Lochinver, Kinlochbervie and Durness have populations of several hundred each, with tiny villages and hamlets scattered across the expansive North West coast.
North West Sutherland is a historic fishing, farming and crofting community that also enjoys growing employment from tourism. There is strong demand for teachers and healthcare professionals, and considerable opportunity for new business ventures in the area.
There are primary schools in the larger villages, with secondary education provided at Ullapool (for Lochinver) and Kinlochbervie (for Kinlochbervie and Durness). Further and higher education is available virtually via the University of the Highlands and Islands, with the nearest campuses located in Thurso, Dingwall and Inverness.
There is a mix of characterful country cottages and attractive town houses in the main villages, with prices remaining relatively affordable.
North West Sutherland is accessible by public road, and there are rail and bus links from Inverness Train Station, with onward connections by local operators.
There are several hospitals accessible from North West Sutherland, depending on the village. From Lochinver and Kinlochbervie, the closest hospital is the Lawson Memorial community hospital in Golspie, on the east coast. From Durness, patients can access Golspie, Wick or Thurso Hospitals within an 80-mile radius. Virtual consultations are also available via the NHS Near Me facility. The regional district hospital is located in Inverness. The wider Sutherland area is well served by GPs, dentists and opticians.
North West Sutherland may look wild and empty, but it has been home to people for thousands of years.
Achmelvich Beach, image by Kirsty McNamara
Embrace the warm community spirit of the North Nighlands
