Use our new leaflet t to help plan your visit
By Car
Arriving from the south, the gateway to the Geopark is Ullapool which is just over an hour’s drive from t Inverness on the A835. Travelling via Bonar Bridge and Lairg you can reach the Geopark via the single track road A837 to Ledmore Junction or take the single track A838 to Laxford Bridge. Travelling from Wick along the north coast you take A836 which will bring you along the shores of Loch Eriboll to Durness.
Car Hire
If you have arrived in Scotland by Air, Rail or Coach then you might want to hire a vehicle. Most of the major car hire firms have offices at the main airports and some rail stations or for local car rental in the Geopark try the Lochbroom Filling Station.
By Bus
There are numerous coach services to Inverness including overnight services from London and other cities. Citylink and National Expressare the two most common. During the summer (May – Sept) there is a direct service operated by Tim Dearman Coaches from Inverness to the north every day except Sunday. This is The Cycle Bus and the service includes a cycle trailer. For a small charge this bus will take bikes and well-behaved dogs. It is not restricted to scheduled stops and will drop off or pick up at any safe location on the Inverness to Durness route through the Geopark
There are also twice daily coach services to Ullapool from Inverness operated by Citylink & Rapsons Coaches and a minibus service linking Ullapool and Lochinver. A Post Bus links Lairg Railway Station to Durness, Kinlochbervie, Scourie or Lochinver. The post bus from Lairg leaves at about 1pm, connecting with the 11.05 train from Inverness.
If you plan to arrive in the Geopark from the North, Transport for Tongue has a number of useful bus routes.
By Air
There are domestic flights to Inverness from London Gatwick (easyJet ) and from London Luton (easyJet). British Airways also operates flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stornoway and Lerwick. Eastern Airways operates a number of flights to Wick from Newcastle, Durham Tees, Leeds Bradford and Southampton which would allow you to start your journey in the north of the Geopark.
Airlines frequently change their routes and timetables so check which airlines fly into Inverness and Wick look at the airport websites.
By Rail
Try the overnight Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness. Scotrail operate all other rail services in Scotland including those to Kyle of Lochalsh and Lairg, Thurso and Wick in the north. It is possible to buy a rail pass ticket to Ullapool that is valid on Citylink coach services.
Daytime trains to Inverness from other UK destinations are operated by nationalexpresseast coast and Virgin Cross Country. For full timetables go to National Rail
You can bring your bike on some trains to Inverness but please check the details of which trains offer this service. Advance booking is recommended in the summer months.
By Cycle
The Geopark offers fantastic opportunities for cycling including mountain tracks, forest trails, long distance touring options and access to the National Cycle Network. There are routes to suit all ages and abilities and travel link-ups during the summer (May – September) using the The Cycle Bus service operated by Tim Dearman Coaches from Inverness to the north every day except Sunday. For a small charge this bus will take bikes and well-behaved dogs. It is not restricted to scheduled stops and will drop off or pick up at any safe location on the Inverness to Durness route through the Geopark
A wide range of routes with clear information about distances and ability levels is available through the Cycling in Scotland website, the official cycling site of Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland.
Local taxis & bus hire
Lochinver – 01571 844 607
Kinlochbervie – 01971 521
Durness – 01971 511 287
Fuel
There are a limited number of filling stations around the Geopark and you may find it useful if travelling by car, camper or motorbike to note the locations of each filling station before setting out on a long journey. Some of these stores have 24 hour fuel pumps but the shops themselves may operate limited opening hours on Sundays and during evenings.
Achiltibuie Stores
Shop, filling station
Tel: 01854 622 496
Email: theresaross@ecosse.net
Web: www.achiltibuiestores.com
Lochinver Stores and Filling Station
Shop, filling station
Tel: 01571 844 207
Scourie Filling Station – 24 Hour fuel pumps
Shop, filling station
Tel: 01971 502 422
Kinlochbervie Garage fuel pumps
Tel: 01971 521
Richard Mackay & Sons – Spar, Durness – 24 Hour fuel pumps
Shop, filling station, post-office, camping supplies, ATM
Tel: 01971 511 209
Lochbroom Filling Station, Ullapool – 24 Hour fuel pumps
Shop, filling station
Tel: 01854612298
Bridge End Filling Station, Lairg
Shop, filling station
Tel: 01549402103
