Getting There

By Car

Arriving from the south, the gateway to the Geopark is Ullapool which is just over an hour's drive from the Highland capital of Inverness on the A835. Travelling via Dornoch and Lairg you will arrive in the Geopark via the single track road A837 to Ledmore Junction then south west on the A835. Another option from Lairg is to take the single track A838 to Achfary and Laxford Bridge which will bring you into the Geopark by way of the parish of Eddrachilles. From here you can explore north or south. Travelling from John O’ Groats along the north coast or by famous Strathnaver, you need to take A836 which will bring you along the shores of Loch Eriboll in the parish of Durness.

Car Hire

If you have arrived in Scotland by Air, Rail or Coach then you might want to hire a vehicle. Most of the major car hire firms have offices at the main airports and some rail stations. From the central belt area try easyCar for some of the best deals. In Inverness, in addition to the large firms you can also try Sharps Vehicle Rentals - with offices at the station and airport. For local car rental in the Geopark the nearest is Daley's Deals in Ullapool (Tel: 01854 612848) or the Lochbroom Filling Station.

By Bus

There are numerous coach services to Inverness including overnight services from London and other cities. Citylink and National Express are the two most common. During the summer (May – Sept) there is a direct service operated by Tim Dearman Coaches from Inverness to the north every day except Sunday. This is The Cycle Bus and the service includes a cycle trailer. For a small charge this bus will take bikes and well-behaved dogs. It is not restricted to scheduled stops and will drop off or pick up at any safe location on the Inverness to Durness route through the Geopark

There are also twice daily coach services to Ullapool from Inverness operated by Citylink & Rapsons Coaches and a minibus service linking Ullapool and Lochinver. A Post Bus links Lairg Railway Station to Durness, Kinlochbervie, Scourie or Lochinver. The post bus from Lairg leaves at about 1pm, connecting with the 11.05 train from Inverness.

By Air

There are domestic flights to Inverness from London Gatwick (easyJet and British Airways) and from London Luton (easyJet). British Airways also operates flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stornoway and Lerwick. Eastern Airways operates a number of flights to Wick from Newcastle, Durham Tees, Leeds Bradford and Southampton which would allow you to start your journey in the north of the Geopark. There is even a direct flight from Stavanger to Wick via Aberdeen.

There are daily flights from Belfast to Inverness with FlyBe. Flybe also operates flights from other UK cities like Manchester and Birmingham. To check which airlines fly into Inverness and Wick look at the airport website.

There are currently no direct flights from mainland Europe to Inverness but connections with easyJet or BA via Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow are available. Ryanair flies to Glasgow Prestwick from Bournemouth, Stanstead and some European destinations and offers free or subsidised rail travel on to any destination in Scotland (to find details on this offer you must click on the Destinations menu, then Glasgow Prestwick from the map, and then Transport).

Current routes and carriers operating out of Inverness Airport (current as of Summer 2008) are listed below but for up to date information on all flights to and from Inverness please go to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) website.

By Rail

Try the overnight Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston (or Watford, Preston & Crewe) to Inverness. With Scotrail Bargain Berths fares are as low as £19 one way. There are also Apex fares and 'Seated Sleeper' tickets available on this route. Scotrail operate all other rail services in Scotland including those to Kyle of Lochalsh and Lairg, Thurso and Wick in the north. It is possible to buy a rail pass ticket to Ullapool that is valid on Citylink coach services.

Daytime trains to Inverness from other UK destinations are operated by nationalexpresseast coast and Virgin Cross Country. For full timetables go to National Rail

You can bring your bike on some trains to Inverness but please check the details of which trains offer this service. Advance booking is recommended in the summer months.

By Cycle

The Geopark offers fantastic opportunities for cycling including mountain tracks, forest trails, long distance touring options and access to the National Cycle Network. There are routes to suit all ages and abilities and travel link-ups during the summer (May – September) using the The Cycle Bus service operated by Tim Dearman Coaches from Inverness to the north every day except Sunday. For a small charge this bus will take bikes and well-behaved dogs. It is not restricted to scheduled stops and will drop off or pick up at any safe location on the Inverness to Durness route through the Geopark

A wide range of routes with clear information about distances and ability levels is available through the Cycling in Scotland website, the official cycling site of Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland.

Local taxis & bus hire

Lochinver – 01571 844 607
Kinlochbervie – 01971 521
Durness – 01971 511 287

Fuel

There are a limited number of filling stations around the Geopark and you may find it useful if travelling by car, camper or motorbike to note the locations of each filling station before setting out on a long journey. None of these stores are run on a 24 hour basis and some operate limited opening hours on Sundays and during evenings.

Achiltibuie Stores

Theme: Shop, filling station
Tel: 01854 622 496
Email: theresaross@ecosse.net
Web: www.achiltibuiestores.com

Lochinver Stores and Filling Station

Theme: Shop, filling station
Tel: 01571 844 207

Scourie Filling Station

Theme: Shop, filling station
Tel: 01971 502 422

Kinlochbervie Garage

Tel: 01971 521-

Richard Mackay & Sons – Mace Store, Durness

Theme: Shop, filling station, post-office, camping supplies, ATM
Tel: 01971 511 209

Lochbroom Filling Station, Ullapool

Theme: Shop, filling station
Tel: 01854612298

Bridge End Filling Station, Lairg

Theme: Shop, filling station
Tel: 01549402103

© North West Highlands Geopark 2010. Web Design + CMS by Pelican Design Consultants.
Photography courtesy of Inver Lodge Hotel, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council, British Geological Survey, Sutherland Partnership, Mackay Country Archive and Iain Sarjeant.