Raven's Rock

• About
• Walk
• More
• Contact

Uncover the secrets of Raven's Rock

The forest at Raven's Rock is a beautiful mixed woodland enclosing a magical steep-sided gorge. Lush green mosses and ferns hang from the gorge walls and plump blaeberries cover the forest floor in summer. In autumn, colourful fungi carpet the woodland.

Sadly, some of the original path here has been lost under a landslip and some of the larger trees have fallen. Raven's Rock is open again and instead of one long circular path, there are two shorter paths for you to enjoy. This gorgeous hidden gem is full of secret surprises and loved by all who come here.

Our map guide to the forests of the Far North will help you explore Raven's Rock and other forest trails in Sutherland.

---

Life's essentials

There's a small hotel in Rosehall village, a café (summer only) nearby, and public toilets 6 or 7 miles (9.6 or 11.2 km) away in Bonar Bridge and Lairg.

Walking trails

Raven's Rock Gorge Trail

Descend into the magical depths of the gorge, where there is a picnic area shrouded by beech and Douglas firs. Look out for bears! 

Smooth gravel surface throughout. Steep slope down into gorge.

½ miles /
0.8 km
Allow
½ hour

---

Pine Wood Trail

A gentle wander through the pines to reach a couple of dramatic viewing areas above the gorge.

Firm, largely smooth gravel surface. Some short fairly steep slopes.

½ miles /
1.0 km
½ hour

---

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

Sheltered giants

It's so sheltered and moist in the gorge itself that some trees - including beech, silver fir, spruce and Scots pine - have been able to achieve remarkable heights. You can picnic under their branches and then climb gently to the top of the rocky gorge and look down on their crowns from above.

The quiet flowing waters of the Allt Mor (big burn or big stream) and the surrounding pine forest are wonderful habitats for two members of the badger family: otters and pine marten live here in the woods. Although these shy cousins are rarely seen during the day, you might find tell-tale pine marten droppings on the path – and accidentally sit on an otter. Gorgeously carved benches by Iain Chalmers entice you to rest your legs and unleash your imagination.

Raven's Rock is set apart from the everyday world: it's a place where unexpected creatures might suddenly appear and magical things happen...

Contact: North Highland Forest District

Address: The Links, Golspie Business Park, Golspie

Postcode: KW10 6UB

Telephone: 0300 067 6850

Email: northhighland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From Bonar Bridge take the A836 northwest, turning left onto the A837 towards Lochinver after 4 miles (6.4 km). Follow this for 6 miles (9.6 km) until you see the Raven's Rock forest sign. Turn right here: the forest entrance is on your left about a mile (1.6 km) after the junction.

From Lairg follow the A839 south west for just under 6 ½ miles (10.4 km). Turn left onto a minor road before the bridge (signposted Rosehall) and follow this for ¾ mile (1.2 km) until you see the forest entrance on your right.

The car park is at grid reference NC 497 008.

Using SatNav?

The nearest postcode to Raven's Rock is IV27 4EU, but this covers a wide area of minor roads.

Public transport

Sorry, there's no public transport to Raven's Rock.

Nearby places

Rosehall is 1 ¾ miles (2.8 km) away and well worth a visit, while gentle family trails and leaping salmon make Falls of Shin a popular stop during the summer months. If you're a mountain biker with energy to spare, head for Balblair near Bonar Bridge, and for quiet woodland strolls choose Camore or Skelbo near Dornoch.