Clashnessie Bay has a very fine sandy beach, one of few in Assynt to face north. Its name comes from the Gaelic Clais an Easaidh - the Channel of the Waterfall - and the falls which give the name make for a short if boggy hike. The Clashnessie Falls are 15m high and are most impressive when in spate.
Minor road, track, stepping stones and boggy path.
Daily service from Lochinver.
Layby by Clashnessie Bay.
Park in the layby by Clashnessie beach on the B869. The beach here receives fewer visitors than the better known Clachtoll or Achmelvich further south, and is a truly stunning spot for relaxing, though the sea is usually bitingly cold.
Begin the walk by heading west along the road. Soon it crosses the bridge over the burn - the Clais an Eas. Note the ruined mill down on the right, where grain would once have been brought for processing. Continue along the road as it climbs uphill, passing a phone box.
Eventually a wooden signpost indicates the route 'To the falls' - cutting a grassy corner to meet a track. Head left along the track, and when it forks take the left branch.
The track ends at a whiteashed cottage by the burn. Just before reaching it, turn left to cross the burn via rough stepping stones, then turn right along the far bank. There is a path, but it is often wet underfoot; it quickly leads to the foot of the waterfall which has been in view for some distance. With a single drop of around 15m, the falls are very impressive when in spate (pictured here in dry summer conditions). The return walk is the same way, but if you wish you can cross the burn and take a path up through the bracken to reach the top of the falls, before heading back.
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