Kyle of Sutherland

The Kyle of Sutherland is an estuary in the Scottish Highlands where the rivers Oykel and Cassley meet. It stretches for about sixteen kilometres downstream to Bonar Bridge, where it widens into the Dornoch Firth. The rivers Shin and Carron join the estuary along its course. The Kyle forms part of the old county boundary between Ross-shire and Sutherland. Its waters reflect the surrounding hills and moorland. The estuary has a history marked by natural events. In 1812, Thomas Telford designed the first Bonar Bridge here after the Battle of Culloden. Eighty years later, on 29 January 1892, a great flood swept the bridge away. Some believe the Brahan Seer had foreseen the disaster. The flood was one of many that winter in northern Scotland. Visitors to the Kyle of Sutherland find a quiet waterway lined with farmland and scattered trees. The estuary’s banks offer gentle walks with views of the hills beyond. Bonar Bridge stands at the downstream end, where the river opens into the Dornoch Firth. The area is known for its peaceful scenery and the remains of the old bridge. The Brahan Seer’s legend adds a touch of local mystery to the landscape.