Lochinver is not very large. I'd say a population of around 1,000. The main street sits by the sea front and that is where you will find almost everything there is - the rest is residential but a wee bit away from the main street. This is not just a tourist town, people live and work here so there will be plenty of coming and going of busy people. It used to be a fishing harbour, I say used perhaps rather loosely since large foreign fishing boats still moor here and offload their fish. Unfortunately, as with so many Scottish fishing ports, there is vey little fishing done by locals - this is not necessarily by choice but a few hardy folk fish on.

Lochinver has a number of stores and eating houses (most by the sea front) and I think I will list them as they will appear as you enter the village:

There is a shop similar to the Spa called locally 'The Bog Shop' (no, I don't know why). This has a variety of food items and sells much the same as the Spa. This shop has longer opening hours than the Spa. Ask locals how to find it rather than my try to explain it's location but it's over the wee bridge on the right as you enter Lochinver.

Highland Stoneware. Pottery Shop. You can buy the most superb pottery here and watch them make it too. Take home a gift for yourselves as a reminder of our lovely area. Turn right at the wee bridge as you are entering town, you should see signs to the pottery about 300 yards along the road - it is a left turn.

Free Church. As you enter Lochinver take the first right over the wee bridge and the church is there on your left. I think services are held at 5pm. It can be chilly, take your coat. Morning services held at Stoer and Drumbeg at 11am (alternate Sundays). Closer to Clashnessie than Lochinver. Further Information 01571 855214

Newsagents. On the right as your first enter the village. Sell sweets, gifts, buckets and pails and of course newspapers. That sort of thing. They have a mass of notices in the window which might prove useful.

Lochinver Larder & Pie shop. This is actually a restaurant too and can get quite busy so if you want to go in the evening I think booking might be a good idea. They do a good daytime trade too. Their pies are so well known that they sell them on the internet too - who'd have thought, pies on the internet! Tel  01571 844356 for booking and times. There should be menus and times in the folder in Ocean Surf. They are on the right as you enter Lochinver - parking in the main park just a few yards down on the right.

Caberfeidh Pub (and restaurant) on the main street as you enter Lochinver.
Food Service will be as follows -
Spring Opening - April 1st to May 31st 2009
(Summer hours will follow)
Lunch - 7 days per week 11.45pm - 2.30
We may extend these hours to suit demand
Dinner - 5.45pm - 8.15pm
Booking is recommended. Tel 01571 844 321
You will find a sample of their menus in the information pack we leave on the coffee table in the house. Vegetarian options are available and if you have special needs then phone before you go.

Doctor. There are two doctors, a physio and nurse. They are wonderful people but I hope you don't need to see them. They are on the left just as you are entering the village, opposite the newsagents. You can park your car just a few yards further on the right in the public car park. There is a list of emergency numbers in the folder in Ocean Surf. There is not a dentist in town

The Spar shop in the main street sells a wide variety of things, mostly food, but handy for things you may have forgotten like toothpaste. You could possibly do your whole week's shop here but it depends on what sort of variety you want. They also keep wines and spirits.

Petrol station. Run by the Spa shop, this is opposite the shop. This is self-service and if there is nobody about then just ring the bell and one of the pretty lasses (or handsome chappies!) from the shop will pop out to release the bowser and take your money.

Fairtrade cafe in the main street almost next to the butcher. I think they also sell gifts. Get a Fairtrade coffee and do everyone some good.

The butcher is in the main street just down from the Spa. I think he sells fresh veg as well.

There is a small kiddies play park not far from the butchers.

There is a shop which I mostly find closed in the winter so have only peeked in the window but it sells gifts and sports-type things like penknives and fishing stuff - do take a look since it is rather intriguing. It is between the butcher and the post office.

Police Station is between the butcher and post office but don't expect to find it open - there is no crime here!

The Post Office is in the main street shortly before the Church of Scotland. Parking is a bit tight so just go a few yards further on and use the large car park on the right hand side next to the sea. The Postmistress is wonderful and the Postmen aren't half bad. You can also get cards and a bit of stationery there and there is a cash point. Closed on Tuesday afternoon and after 12.00 on Saturday.

Recycling area is next to the church in the large car park.

Church of Scotland on the main street called the Assynt Church. You can't miss it standing very proud by the sea. I believe it was brought, stone by stone, from Nairn at the turn of the last century. Somebody must have really liked this church but a church is the people, not the building. Sunday Service is 10am and Sunday School is 11.30 in the local village hall just up the way. The service is generally led by John MacPherson who drives all the way from Scourie which is about 24 miles away then drives back and gives the service at his local church. That's dedication.
There is also Stoer Church at Elphin: Sunday 3pm (on the first Sunday of month) - this is not in Lochinver but on the Ullapool road about 15 miles south of Lochinver.

Tourist Information on the left a wee bit down from the church. Apart from information they sell maps and tourist type gifts. There is also a rather good ranger service from there with pots of information - a great place to spend an hour or even two on a rainy day - could well keep the kiddies quiet and is very educational. Ask the rangers about their guided walks.

Royal Bank of Scotland is at the other end of town . Take the sign for Inverkirkaig and just as you are taking the left turn before the wee bridge the bank is there on your left. There is a small car park. Lots of steps up to the bank but if you are unable to make it then there is a bell at the bottom of the steps and someone will come out and help. Times:
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri  - 9.15am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 4.45pm
Wed  - 10am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 4.45pm
Cashline available

The Chandlery is opposite the Royal National Mission to Fishermen building near the harbour at the other end of the village. (Unfortunately the Mission closed in 2009. This was a big loss to the area.)  They sell all sorts of household items and hardware plus a nice variety of sensible clothing that is right for the area - like warm socks! It's a bit of an Aladdin's Cave.

Sports Centre. Assynt Leisure Centre is it's formal name. They have a small gym, sports hall, comfy chairs upstairs in the gallery where you could just sit and read and if someone is in attendance you could get a coffee. Toilets and showers. Internet room. Tel 01571 844123

Walks from the village: The main walk is through the Culag Woods. You can start your walk from Lochinver or take your car to the outskirts (see the link). If you start from Lochinver then walk to the Chandlery which is opposite the Fishermen's Mission near the harbour, keep walking up that road, past the local garage and onto the rough road - this is one of the entrances to the walk.

There is another walk through Glencanisp which is one of the routes walkers take to Suilven. There may be a sign the Glencanisp Lodge. Walk past the Tourist Information and on past a row of houses, past the turn for the hotel then there is road to the left not sure if it is signed. This tarmac road is bounded by a stone wall. It is a single track road so not so much traffic. Once past the Lodge you can get off the road. If you are thinking of walking Suilven then you can also go via the Kirkaig Falls route which is a few miles out of town (take the car to the start!)

For other walks ask at the Tourist Information.

If I've missed anyone off then you'll just have to put a note on our form on this page or email us and we'll put you in.

We will have left local information in Ocean Surf but it might be a good idea to print this out so you have information on one page for Lochinver.