Coigach and Assynt Heritage Trail is launched
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Local people and visitors are being encouraged to slow down and take their time to explore the history of Coigach and Assynt on a new trail.
The Coigach and Assynt Heritage Trail was launched with an event that began at Clachtoll.
The new heritage trail begins at Culnacraig at the base of Ben Mor Coigach, near Achiltibuie, and takes in a number of locations between there and Kylesku.
A leaflet and map will be available locally and there are striking monolith information panels dotted along the way. These are made of Corten steel, rusted naturally by coastal salt-laden air to create a beautiful patina which fits seamlessly into the landscape. There are also sturdy oak waymarker posts displaying the trail’s QR code, which leads people to the new website, www.candatrail.com
The project, part of the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape partnership scheme, has been a collaborative community project which gathered information from the folk who know the most about the area's heritage and have helped to preserve those stories.
Working with the Coigach Community Development Company and Historic Assynt, Seoras Burnett, who compiled the information for the trail, spoke to local people to get authentic and original accounts, as well as delving deep into academic papers. He hopes that “the trail will allow people to stop and reflect on a rich and complex history which runs through this amazing landscape from the end of the last Ice Age to the present day”.
From rebellions during the Highland Clearances to World War II submarine missions, seismic geological discoveries to hazardous mountain walks to school, the area is alive with stories from the past.
Project coordinator Ann Marie Firth-Bernard said: “This has been an enjoyable and rewarding project to work on and we’re looking forward to sharing our local history with a wide audience.”
People are encouraged to explore sections of the trail on foot, by bike or even in a kayak.
