Wildlife
Handa Island near Scourie on the West coast is a SWT Reserve and one of the largest seabird colonies in NW Europe. The Great Stack, a pillar of sandstone separated from the island by the sea has colonies of guillemots, razorbills, skuas and kittiwake.
The RSPB Reserve at Forsinard, which can be reached by train from Lairg as well as by road, is an internationally famous area of 10,000ha of blanket bog. The visitor centre is open Easter to October and the reserve is always open. It is at its best in spring and summer. Look out for hen harriers, golden plovers and greenshanks and enjoy the bogland plants and mosses.
Common and grey seals are often to be seen off the beaches of Brora and Golspie. Minke whales and the Moray Firth dolphins can also be spotted.
Deer are common in Sutherland and can usually be seen by anyone walking quietly in the hills.
Salmon can often be seen leaping up the rocks at the Shin Falls on the river Shin. The falls can be reached from a path at the Shin Falls Restaurant off the back road B864 between Lairg and Invershin.
