North West Highlands Geopark

The North West Highlands Geopark lies in the far north-west of Scotland, covering parts of Sutherland and Wester Ross. It stretches from the treeless moorland near Cape Wrath to the rocky coast and scattered Summer Isles. The park’s oldest rocks date from about three thousand million years ago, among the most ancient in Europe. Its eastern edge follows the Moine Thrust Belt, a line where ancient rocks have been pushed over younger ones. The park also includes sea caves, sea stacks and some of Britain’s highest mainland cliffs. The geopark is famous for the Moine Thrust Belt, first recognised in the 19th century after a debate between geologists such as Roderick Murchison and Archibald Geikie. Their disagreement was settled by Ben Peach and John Horne, who proved the rocks had moved seventy kilometres eastwards. A monument to Peach and Horne stands near Knockan Crag, where the thrust belt is clearly visible. Smoo Cave, with its fifteen-metre entrance, shows how seawater and fresh water shaped different chambers. Excavations here have found traces of Mesolithic people. Visitors walk along coastal paths past cliffs and stacks like the Old Man of Stoer. The distinctive Suilven and Stac Pollaidh rise above the surrounding moorland. Inside the park, caves such as Uamh an Claonaite and the Inchnadamph Bone Caves reveal ancient animal bones and human remains. The landscape is mostly treeless, with wide views over moor and sea.