Assynt
Assynt
|
|
|---|---|
 Ardvreck Castle |
|
 Assynt
|
|
| Assynt shown within the Sutherland area | |
| Population | 989 (2001) |
| OS grid reference | NC2092 |
| • Edinburgh | 234 mi (377 km) |
| • London | 637 mi (1,025 km) |
| Civil parish |
|
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Lairg |
| Dialling code | 01571 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Assynt (Scottish Gaelic: Asainte) is a region and parish in the south-west of Sutherland, Scotland.
It is famous for its landscape (Inverpolly Nature Reserve) and its remarkable mountains (Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Cùl Mòr, Stac Pollaidh, Ben More Assynt). Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, which includes a visitor centre interpreting the geological feature the Moine Thrust, is part of the North West Highlands Geopark. Assynt hosts the longest cave in Scotland, Uamh an Claonaite, which lies 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Inchnadamph.
The name Assynt may derive from an Old Norse word meaning 'ridge end'. There is also a tradition that the name comes from a fight between the two brothers Unt and Ass-Unt, (meaning Man of Peace and Man of Discord). The latter having won the tussle gave his name to the parish.
In June 2005 the Glencanisp estate, including the mountains Suilven and Canisp and the neighbouring Drumrunie estate, with the mountains Cùl Mòr and Cùl Beag, were bought by the local community. The Assynt Foundation aims to create local employment and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations, and for the enjoyment of the wider public. The estates of Glencanisp and Drumrunie totalling some 18,000 hectares are managed by the Assynt Foundation on behalf of the Assynt community.
...
Wikipedia