30th September 2021, by Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape

There has been a flurry of publishing activity among CALLP partners, with three hitting the shelves this month.

North West Highlands Geopark has published a Walker’s Guide to Coigach & Assynt. Written by Dougie Cunningham, the book details 26 walks, and is beautifully illustrated with over 110 photographs, and maps for each route. This is the ideal guide to help you discover more about this, what we consider to be one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland. Venture beyond the standard NC500 tick-list, and find a new favourite place. The book costs £11.99 plus £2.50 p&p, from the North West Highlands Geopark website, or can be purchased at local bookshops.

And not one but two books about the history of fishing in the area have been launched.

Coigach Heritage has published ‘Coigach Fisheries’ as part of CALLP’s Marine project. Compiled and edited by Angus Mcleod, it tells the story of the fishery in the words of the fishing people themselves, and includes many original images of the times. A quote from the back cover of the book explains: ‘Up until the early 1950s the salmon fishermen were all local crofters. They worked the crops, sheep and cows and hay and a bit of lobster fishing.

‘They lived in bothies during the week and fished the nets from Culnacraig, from Badenscallie, and Fox Point, Badentarbet, Reiff and Rhu Beag.’ The book is available in local shops, or you can buy it mail order for £6, including p&p, by emailing coigach.heritage@gmail.com.

Finally Historic Assynt chairman Dave McBain has written a history of fishing in the area based on the memories of local people, thanks to a Community Grant from CALLP.

Fishing in Assynt is full of stories told by local residents and fisherfolk, along with a short history of fishing, and the trade surrounding it.

All profits from sales will go to Historic Assynt. The book, priced £10, is being stocked by Inverbank newsagents Lochinver; the Rockstop, Unapool; the Ceilidh Place, Ullapool and Ullapool Bookshop, who are also planning to sell it online.