North of Lochinver the landscape changes subtly; Gneiss is replaced in parts by Old Red Sandstone. Softer than Gneiss, it breaks down more easily and its warm colour is found on the beaches in this part of Assynt. Clashnessie, out towards Point of Stoer, is one such beach and was almost deserted when we visited on a warm but breezy morning. The name is more properly Clais an Easaidh (narrow glen of the waterfall) and there is indeed a waterfall above the beach.
Remains of a watermill can also be found near the small car parking area. The area was once crofted but there are now less than twenty dwellings within a couple of square kilometres, some of them holiday rental properties.
The pink sand is quite different to the white shell sand for which many of Assynt's beaches are famed, it is very fine and makes lovely patterns when washed by the tide. The warm pink contrasted well with this Gneiss boulder on the beach.
Three types of rock in this image; Old Red Sandstone forms the sand with banded Gneiss and a Quartz intrusion.
We strolled along the shore for a while absorbing the atmosphere of this lovely bay.
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