Achentoul

Achentoul (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh an t-Sabhail; translation: "field of the barn") is a hamlet in the Kinbrace area of Sutherland, in the Scottish council area of Highland. Consisting of a few farmhouses and barns, Achentoul lies around 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Kinbrace along the A897 road and south of Loch An Ruathair.[1] Although the Achentoul Forest is located in this area, the landscape is said to be dominated by moist Atlantic heather moor.[2]

Moor around Loch An Ruathair

Achentoul Scottish Gaelic: Achadh an t-Sabhail
Achentoul Location within the Sutherland area
OS grid reference	NC873335
Council area	Highland
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	HELMSDALE
Postcode district	KW8 6
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Scottish Parliament	Caithness, Sutherland and Ross

Geography

The Achentoul Estate boasts several lochs, including Loch Ascaig, Loch Arachlinie, Loch Badanloch, Loch Ruthair, Loch Drum, Loch Lucy, Loch Cullidh, Loch Dubh, Loch Sletill and Loch Badanloch.[3] Loch fishing is available on a number of the estate's lochs.

Flora and fauna

The rugged and remote Achentoul Forest lies to the north of Achentoul Lodge.[3] A deer forest, it has been a noted sporting estate for deer shooting for centuries.[4] The area is frequented by deer year round, as well as birds of prey.[3]

Culture

Achentoul Lodge was built c. 1900. It is situated southeast of Loch An Ruathair, overlooking the moorland to the north of Kinbrace.[5]

The lodge organizes hind stalking during the winter months (October–February) to kill deer, which are considered pests to the forest.[6] For the sport the farm charges up to £130 for a session if the shooter hires a keeper, although a stalker is only permitted to kill two deer in a session.[6] However, the farm claims that the hind stalking is for woodland conservation purposes primarily, given that the Achentoul estate by 1970 had dedicated 1,000 acres (400 ha) for afforestation and sold 604 acres (244 ha) to the Forestry Commission.[7] Rabbit shooting on the farm is also available.

A notable family on the farm are the Nutting family, who hired the late Donald Mackay to manage the farm in 1958. He worked in Achentoul for a long time with the Henderson brothers; he died in 2010, aged 76.[8]

The Ca na Catanach is a 35 km (22 mi) medieval road and drovers' road with a footpath between Dorrery Lodge and the north end of Achentoul.[9]

Kinbrace Hill (also known as Kinbrace Farm or Achentoul Forest) is noted by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland for a long, chambered cairn.[10]

References

1. Microsoft; Nokia (26 February 2017). "Achentoul" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
2. Annual report, Issues 54-56. Macaulay Institute for Soil Research. 1984. p. 150.
3. "Kinbrace Lochs, Sutherland". Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
4. Prebble, John (1984). John Prebble's Scotland. Secker & Warburg. p. 201.
5. "Achentoul Lodge". scottish-places.info. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
6. "Achentoul Hind Stalking". First Foot. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
7. Strath of Kildonan: proposals for development. Volume 5 of Special reports, Highland and Islands Development Board. 1970.
8. "Mr Donnie Mackay, Achentoul and Golspie". The Northern Times. 2 September 2010. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
9. "Ca na Catanach". Heritage Paths. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
10. "Kinbrace Hill". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 23 October 2010.