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nickandchris Says: From Talmine, we continued on themotorbike northwards and turned off to Port Vasgo. This was an unusual place, there being a natual channel cut between the amazingly strata'd rocks, then we think levelled out on by man the bottom to enable boats to be launched. I guess the...
nickandchris Says: This beautiful beach we discovered whilst on a trip on the motorbike, north of Talmine. It has to be one of myall time favourites. It is truly spectacular, rolling waves, white sand breached by the Strath Meiness Burn and absolutely deserted. The sun was out and the sea was...
nickandchris Says: Talmine has a pretty beach, a jetty, a couple more small beaches further on, a basic campsite and a shop. It has a remote feeling although it's not that far frm Tongue with it's massive facilities of pub, hostel, shop, petrol etc.The village of Talmine sits bove the beach,...
nickandchris Says: If you don't cross the bridge at the Kyle of Tongue, the alternative route is a scenic, narrow road of around 8 miles that meanders along the loch on the west side, offering some nice views and heads inland a little as you turn to the east and proceed along this side,...
nickandchris Says: Until 1971, the vast stretch of water known as the Kyle of Tongue, had to be crossed by ferry or circumnavigated by a winding, narrow road south of the Kyle. The bridge and substantial causeway replaced the ferry although the southerly route still remains and is a scenic gem...
Moody Mountains surround Tongue Beach
scottishvisitor Says: After our hot and long walk from Castle Varrich it was time to cool off and visit the beach at Tongue. You can choose from the two sides of the Kyle from both sides of the bridge. We chose the left side where we encountered a wide pale golden sweep of sand so soft your feet...
Climb the hill to Castle Varrich
scottishvisitor Says: Just before we drove into the Village of Tongue there was a great look off point just before the end of the single track road. As usual my Husband didn't stop and I really thought we had missed out on a great photo opportunity of the views of the Kyle of Tongue. However,...
Helpfulness
The Tongue Hotel was built in the 1800's as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Sutherland but we won't hold this against him. It is a fine example of Victorian Architecture with lots of interesting detail. Here in the modern times you will be welcomed with genuine highland hospitality. Despite its Victorian exterior the interior is bright with modern touches but still retains the elegance of the Victorian period. We sat outside on the pretty terrace which overlooks the sea. Tables both inside and out are numbered so you select what food you want, then order and pay at the bar giving your table number. Service is friendly and efficient, the home cooked food does take a little time to prepare but worth the wait.
Favorite Dish: We had the light lunch selection which comprised soup and sandwiches. The soup was potato (tattie) soup made with fresh mutton - hearty and deliciously wholesome. The sandwiches were generously cut filled with roast beef and horse radish sauce complete with crisps and side salad. They do a great range in real ales and malt whisky but the day was too hot so we both had cool fresh mineral water. The Tongue Hotel is a nice place to stop whatever the time of day they are happy to serve you and provide a welcome break from the road of travel.
Updated Aug 29, 2008
Address: Tongue Sutherland
Phone: 01847 611266
Website: www.tonguehotel.co.uk
Helpfulness
click here A song for the roadThe road to Tongue from Lairg is a long slow affair which involves a drive of nearlyforty miles on the A836. On looking at the road map before we decided to journey to Tongue, neither of us realised this would be single track all the way. 'A' listed roads are normally trunk roads the 'B' roads in Sutherland are the more usual single track. The road travels through some spledid scenery as it passes Loch Loyal with Ben Loyal always looming in the distance. It is between nothing and nowhere with not a single village or even stray croft to be found on this road. I joked with my husband that I would have to look for a VT destination called passing place! Ha ha I did look and there isn't one! On the serious side the many passing places will be your guide on how to drive these roads. Some important points to remember for a safe drive are - If you see an oncoming car and the passing place is nearer you but on the right, stop opposite it on the left and allow the car to pass. Check your mirror frequently - if traffic appears behind you they are travelling much faster than you and will probably be local traffic - don't hold them up pull in and allow them on their way. You will usually get a 'thank you' by means of a double flash of indicators. Sometimes traffic meets where there is no immediate passing place, in this case the driver closest to a place behind will reverse back.
Concentration and consideration are the key to driving here. This particular road has the national speed limit of 60 miles an hour - don't be fooled - you can't drive at this speed. Take your time and enjoy the journey.
Updated Sep 7, 2008
Tongue Gift Shop: Gifts postcards & local crafts
scottishvisitor Says: The Tongue Gift Shop had lots of gifts, stoneware, souveniers and a fine selection of postcards. The shop was a little cramped making browsing difficult - I do suspect this would be a down side of the visiting tour buses - all for sale but in little space to really see if...
Bettyhill General Merchants: All Kinds of everything in this little shop
scottishvisitor Says: The little village shop (yes singular) plays a very important part in the daily life of a small community, the shops provide the basic essentialals which help a tiny place tick over. The shop, although not large, carries a wide selection of groceries, sweets, newspapers and...
Stable Studio: A Natural Selection of Wildlife Prints
scottishvisitor Says: The Stable Studio here in Tongue is located in what looks like a garage, surprisingly next to it is an old stable which would have been a fantastic alternative. Like most things around here it is again a small affair but they do have a rather nice website. I didn't take any...
A Cairn built for a man who told the truth
scottishvisitor Says: Donald MacLeod was a stone mason who lived in the settlement of Rossal, Strathnaver. He was a witness to the burning of 250 houses. Many of the evicted tenants were part of his family and extended family. MacLeod and his family were moved on to the coast at Strathy Point....
Mass was banned in the Highlands
scottishvisitor Says: After the last rebellion in the Highlands in 1745 Catholic Mass was banned in the Highlands along with playing of the bagpipes, the tradition of wearing the kilt and owning weapons. The people were mainly Roman Catholic in these times and Mass was important to the deeply...
scottishvisitor Says: The Strathnaver Museum is housed in Saint Columbia Church which was built in 1774 and is located at the Clachan, Bettyhill. This museum tracks the history of life in Srathnaver and the devestating effects of the Highland Clearances. They have a replica of what life was like...
scottishvisitor Says: Before I begin to describe the Glen of Stathnaver let me quote the words of a child - Lori Macleod a child of the tender years of eight or nine - she wrote a very poignant poem describing her thoughts on the clearances - here are Loris words - "Clearance"Ordered from our...
Where the Highlanders' sought refuge
scottishvisitor Says: The evicted Highlanders sought sanctury - not in Syre Church interior, but rather under a tarpaulin in the Kirkyard. The reasons for this are unclear (Churches at this time always had an open door) maybe the Highlanders were not Church Of Scotland followers or maybe members...
scottishvisitor Says: The original village was called Farr but after the clearance of both Rossal and Farr its name changed to Bettyhill. A rather strange name for a village sitting on the most northern coast of Scotland. The village was a replacement village built not to house the Highlanders...
scottishvisitor Says: We visited the many beaches and coves around Sutherland's East and West Coast. All were more or less isolated of visitors and were a paradise for beach combers. The stunning Torrisdale Bay which lies at the most northern coast, in a heart stopping moment comes into your view...
scottishvisitor Says: The little tourist office in Bettyhill is only open seasonally from April to October. Hours are limited from 10.00 till 13.00 then 14.00 to 16.00. Open Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday) They provide a good working knowledge of Bettyhill and the surrounding area. Maps of...
A day trip from Lairg saw us on the long and winding road to Tongue the land of Passing Places - isolated and wild on the far most northern coast of Scotland. If I hadn't visited Tongue I would have...
Previous page: Bettyhill This page is about the area around the Kyle of Tongue, a beautiful sea inlet on the very north coast of Sutherland, Scotland, that is now crossed by causeway and bridge,...
Build your own Tongue page
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