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Major city · United Kingdom

Achiltibuie

Go only with a car and 2 nights: single-track lane from Drumrunie, no through coast road, one bus (811) twice a day Mon–Fri.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Achiltibuie is a scattered crofting township on the Coigach coast of Ross and Cromarty, north of Ullapool, facing the Summer Isles. There is no through road along the coast, so you arrive by a narrow single-track lane from Drumrunie on the A835, or by a slow lane from Lochinver. It suits walkers and drivers who want sandstone hills, sea cliffs and a small smokehouse, not a resort. Two nights covers the village, Stac Pollaidh and one hill day.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (short days, ice on the lane), midge peak Jul–Aug
Airports
INV · GLA
Nights
2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Achiltibuie999 ▾
  • Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)999
  • Emergency from any phone112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Achiltibuie, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub or hotel main course£14–24 (≈ US$19–35)
  • BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
  • Budget bedHeated hostel pod (sleeps 2), a night, per room£80 (≈ US$110)
  • Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room£200 (≈ US$300)
  • High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room£300 (≈ US$400)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £90 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Summer Isles viewsStac PollaidhBen Mor CoigachSummer Isles SmokehouseKnockan Crag and the Moine Thrust
Airports
INV Inverness (About 2 h 30 min by road to Ullapool, then the lane; check car hire in advance.) · GLA Glasgow (Longer drive north; check connections before booking.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  5. May

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest May (14). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Achiltibuie: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

6°C (43°F)

1°C (34°F)

20 rd

Feb

6°C (43°F)

1°C (34°F)

16 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

18 rd

Apr

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

15 rd

May

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

14 rd

Jun

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

14 rd

Jul

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

16 rd

Aug

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

17 rd

Sep

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

18 rd

Oct

12°C (54°F)

6°C (43°F)

20 rd

Nov

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

20 rd

Dec

6°C (43°F)

1°C (34°F)

20 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car, a bike or strong legs. The coast lane is single-track with passing places. KSM Bus 811 runs Ullapool–Achiltibuie twice Mon–Fri and once on Saturday, about 80 min.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Stac Pollaidh

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way plus 2–3 h on the hill

Drive the lane east, park at the base, then the path

Ridge path is rough and exposed; the lower circuit suits most walkers.

Knockan Crag

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Back to the A835, then 13 miles north of Ullapool

Short trails and displays on the Moine Thrust; open at all hours.

Ullapool

go

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min by bus

KSM Bus 811 or the lane back to the A835

Shops, fuel and ferries to Stornoway; bus runs twice Mon–Fri, once Saturday.

Lochinver

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Twisty single-track lane north

Slow, hilly and narrow; only in good weather and daylight.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Achiltibuie village and bay

Hotel, stores and the pier; walkable core for a short stay.

Altandhu and Port a Bhaigh

Campsite and seafood bar in the next bay north; car needed.

Coigach (Acheninver, Polbain)

Hostel pods and self-catering croft houses; the quietest option.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£80–130 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
£150 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £200£400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £90£360
KSM Bus 811, Ullapool return2 × £12 · check£24
Campsite pitch, 2-person tent1 × £25£25
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£83
Trip total≈ £228 per person per day, bed included£912≈ US$1,300

Hotel open Apr–Oct; bar occasionally open through winter.

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to the area excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Smoked fish or venison from the smokehouse£8–20 (≈ US$11–30)
Pub or hotel main course£14–24 (≈ US$19–35)
Pint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
Campsite pitch, 2-person tent£25 (≈ US$35) (hook-up £31 (≈ US$45))
Petrol, per litrecheck£1.45–1.60 (≈ US$2–3)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very low crime. The real risks are the single-track lane, weather that turns fast on the hills, and no reliable phone signal: tell someone your route and carry a paper map.
  • Single-track lane with passing places: pull in early, and expect sheep and deer.
  • Mobile signal is patchy: basic Three and O2 4G reported, nothing from EE or Vodafone, no 5G.
  • Fuel and full shops are in Ullapool: fill up before the turn-off.
  • Midges are worst on still, damp evenings from June to August.
  • Some places close or run reduced hours outside Apr–Oct: check before you drive.

Emergency numbers

Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
999
Emergency from any phone
112
NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AchiltibuieAchiltibuie

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Emergency999
  • Emergency (any phone)112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No consulates locally; US and most embassies are in London, with a US consulate-general in Edinburgh.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • KSM Bus 811 Ullapool → Achiltibuie: about 80 min, twice Mon–Fri, once Saturday
  • Summer Isles boat from Badentarbet Pier: book via the Post Office, +44 1854 622200

Say or show

  • Single-track road — Single-track road (passing place)
  • Where is the passing place? — Where is the passing place? (passing place)
  • Is there a table for two? — Is there a table for two? (table for two)
  • Is the boat running today? — Is the boat running today? (boat today)
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (card)
  • No signal here — No signal here (no signal)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Achiltibuie. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, ice on the lane), midge peak Jul–Aug · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for INV and GLA: last sensible arrival time, car-hire cutoff, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village and pier, Altandhu, Achnahaird, Stac Pollaidh.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Summer Isles boat, smokehouse, campsite) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Weather and midge fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources