Lairg - the site of an asteroid crash 1.2 billion years ago!

Lairg is, in a way, the crossroads of the north of Scotland – if you deviate from the coastal roads on your trip around the area, chances are you’ll pass Lairg. Set in a patchwork of forests, moorland and crofts, it might not be packed with attractions like its neighbours to the east and west are, but don’t pass by Lairg on your trip. Close by the village, you can see one of Scotland’s most spectacular natural wonders and an unexpected geological claim to fame…

Perhaps the number one reason to visit the area is to see Atlantic salmon leaping up the waterfalls at the Falls of Shin. Less than 5 miles from Lairg, you can watch as these incredible fish make their journey upstream to spawn, roughly between April and October, although the later months are the best for spotting them jumping. A viewing platform allows excellent views over the waterfall, and a visitor centre above serves delicious food – if you can tear yourself away!

Lairg itself sits on Little Loch Shin, famous for ‘Broon’s Hoose’ – a small model cottage built on a tiny island in the loch. An elaborate prank on the BBC lead to them broadcasting that it was built in 1824 by a local poacher Jock Broon, who was gifted land by a laird in exchange for teaching him how to distil whisky. In reality, it was built for a gala 20 years ago and left on the island after the festivities!

Despite leaping salmon and Broon’s Hoose, Lairg’s most unusual claim to fame may be that it sits on the site of the world’s 15th largest impact crater! The ‘Lairg gravity low’ is a 1.2 billion year old, 25-mile wide suspected impact crater.

The area has natural woodland, forest tracks, moorland and lochs, making for varied walks throughout. We can recommend the 5-mile walk along Loch Migdale, which takes you though stunning mixed woodland and had fantastic views across the lochs to the hills rising beyond.

The village itself, although small, has several B&Bs, cafes and shops.

If your trip to the north was going to take you through Lairg, make sure to stop and explore – you might be surprised!