Tongue: Coastal Landscape and Clan History

Tongue lies on the eastern shore of the Kyle of Tongue, with views of mountains and coast. The great variety of coastal scenery is one of the distinctive qualities of the Kyle of Tongue National Scenic Area. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Tongue, the destination can be considered through three themes: coast, history and mountains. This lets you begin your choice with the character of the place rather than with a predetermined itinerary.

Coastal Landscape and Formation

The spit extending into the Kyle of Tongue is the terminal moraine of the Kyle of Tongue glacier and forms the eastern part of the causeway across the Kyle. Its geological formation and its position on the causeway offer two distinct ways to understand the coastal landscape: the spit points to the glacier, while its location places it on the Kyle. Together with the views of mountains and coast, this creates a landscape that is not defined by a single viewpoint.

Crofting, Clan History and a Poet

Tongue is one of the significant crofting settlements on the north coast. The area around Tongue was also a historic meeting point for Gaels, Picts and Vikings. Crofting describes the character of the settlement, while the historic meeting point draws attention to the wider area.

Castle Varrich overlooks the village from a hill above the Kyle of Tongue. After Castle Varrich was abandoned, Tongue House became the historic seat of Clan Mackay. A personal connection to the place’s history is also recorded: the Gaelic poet Ewen Robertson (Eòghainn MacDhonnchaidh) lived his entire life in Tongue. The place’s history can therefore be traced through both named sites and an individual.

One clearly dated period is 1746: shortly before the Battle of Culloden, Tongue was involved in a clash between the Jacobites and the Royal Navy. This event adds a specific date to the longer history of settlement and clan life.

Attractions and Hillwalking

In Tongue, you can explore local history and culture at historic sites. The two elevated destinations offer different experiences: at Caisteal Bharraich, an iron staircase provides access to the keep, where you can enjoy the views; Ben Loyal rises above the village and is a popular destination for hillwalking. Local conditions along the route can change, so check route conditions before your visit. Conditions on Ben Loyal also vary, which you should take into account when planning an ascent.

Local crafts and regional produce are also among the things you can discover in Tongue. This gives you a local cultural focus to choose alongside historic sites and mountain scenery.

Wildlife Watching in the Wider Area

Puffins, Scottish primroses, red deer and orcas can be seen on the north coast. Talmine Bay, near Tongue, is regularly visited by dolphins; individual wildlife sightings naturally vary. The north coast thus offers another area of interest alongside local history and mountains.

In the wider area around Tongue, the remains of a Clearances village can be seen at Scrabster. The site adds a tangible connection to the history of the Clearances to the area’s other historical points of interest.

Getting There and Choosing Your Destination

For the journey, the A836 runs from Lairg to Tongue and Moine. Check road conditions before setting off.

When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the coastal landscape, the history of Tongue, wildlife watching on the north coast or a hillwalk. This lets you choose a destination that suits your interests before selecting your accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Beauly, Lochcarron, Torlundy, Dalwhinnie, Watten, Morar, Torridon, Letterfearn.

For the regional travel overview: Highland.