Undiscovered Scotland

 

A number of tiny settlements are linked together by a loop of single track minor road near the western end of the Coigach Peninsula. This is not often appreciated by many who visit this fascinating area, who simply follow the "main" road round to Achiltibuie before returning the same way.

Even those who drive around the loop taking in Polbain, Altandhu and Achnahaird might overlook the side road leading to Reiff at the north-west end of Altandhu.

Taking this turning leads you for a mile or so along the rocky west coast of the Coigach Peninsula before you round a corner and come into view of Reiff. What you find is a scatter of houses and bungalows, most with superb sea views and many providing self catering accommodation.

This is a great get-away-from-it-all spot. It comes complete with a beach of sand and rock, and stunning views south past the Summer Isles to the mainland mountains beyond and west across the Minch to the mountains of Harris. To the north, a track leads past Loch of Reiff to the rocky coastline overlooking the bay of Camas Eilean Ghlais and its island: but beyond here the two miles leading to the very tip of the Coigach Peninsula are completely wild: while inland, trackless territory extends across the peninsula to the coast overlooking Enard Bay.

Reiff's quietness and relative isolation make it an excellent place for those who want to get close to nature. Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins are regular visitors to the coastal waters here, especially in the late Summer and early Autumn. Ornithologists will find this an especially good place for spotting birds that breed in the Summer Isles, likes storm petrels, greylags and great skuas. And the wide open views and absence of light pollution to the north make this an ideal spot for viewing occurrences of the Northern Lights: while remembering that in the height of Summer daylight here extends far into the night.