Tongue Travel Guide

 
by scottishvisitor
 
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by scottishvisitor
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Explore Tongue

Things to Do  

Port Vasgo

Port Vasgo, Tongue

 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... 

Achininver Beach

Achininver Beach, Tongue

 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... 

Talmine

Talmine, Tongue

 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,... 

Take The Long Way Round

Take The Long Way Round, Tongue

 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,... 

Cross The Kyle Of Tongue

Cross The Kyle Of Tongue, Tongue

 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

Moody Mountains surround Tongue Beach, Tongue

 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

Climb the hill to Castle Varrich, Tongue

 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,... 

Restaurants  

Tongue Hotel: All sorts at the Tongue Hotel

Tongue Hotel: All sorts at the Tongue Hotel, Tongue

 scottishvisitor Says:  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... 

Transportation  

The longest single track journey

The longest single track journey, Tongue

 scottishvisitor Says:  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'... 

Shopping  

Tongue Gift Shop: Gifts postcards & local crafts

Tongue Gift Shop: Gifts postcards & local crafts, Tongue

 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

Bettyhill General Merchants: All Kinds of everything in this little shop, Tongue

 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

Stable Studio: A Natural Selection of Wildlife Prints, Tongue

 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... 

Local Customs  

A Cairn built for a man who told the truth

A Cairn built for a man who told the truth, Tongue

 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

Mass was banned in the Highlands, Tongue

 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... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Strathnaver Museum

Strathnaver Museum, Tongue

 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... 

The Glen of Silence

The Glen of Silence, Tongue

 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

Where the Highlanders' sought refuge, Tongue

 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... 

The tiny village of Bettyhill

The tiny village of Bettyhill, Tongue

 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... 

Torrisdale Bay

Torrisdale Bay, Tongue

 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... 

Far Flung Tourist Office

Far Flung Tourist Office, Tongue

 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... 

The Place

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The People

 
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 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... 

 

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Top 2 Tongue Writers

1

Tongue

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 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... 

2

Around The Kyle Of Tongue

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 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,... 

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