Achentoul
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country = Scotland
|official_name= Achentoul
|scots_name=
|gaelic_name=Achadh an t-Sabhail
|population=
|static_image=Blar-mhòr - geograph.org.uk - 162545.jpg
|static_image_width=250px
|static_image_caption=
|os_grid_reference= NC873335
|map_type=Sutherland
|coordinates = {{coord|58.27651|-3.92313|display=inline,title}}
|unitary_scotland= Highland
|lieutenancy_scotland=Sutherland
|constituency_westminster= Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
|constituency_scottish_parliament= Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
|post_town = HELMSDALE
|postcode_district = KW8 6
|postcode_area= KW
|dial_code=
}}
Achentoul (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh an t-Sabhail; translation: "field of the barn") is a hamlet in the Kinbrace area of Sutherland, in the Scottish council area of Highland. Consisting of a few farmhouses and barns, Achentoul lies around {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} north of Kinbrace along the A897 road and south of Loch An Ruathair.{{Bing maps | url = https://binged.it/2mA9IsH | title=Achentoul | accessdate = 26 February 2017 }} Although the Achentoul Forest is located in this area, the landscape is said to be dominated by moist Atlantic heather moor.{{cite book|title=Annual report, Issues 54–56|publisher=Macaulay Institute for Soil Research|page=150|year=1984}}
Geography
Flora and fauna
The rugged and remote Achentoul Forest lies to the north of Achentoul Lodge.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstfoot.com/tour/kinbrace-lochs-1458.htm|title=Kinbrace Lochs, Sutherland|accessdate=23 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519033113/http://www.firstfoot.com/tour/kinbrace-lochs-1458.htm|archive-date=19 May 2010|url-status=dead}} A deer forest, it has been a noted sporting estate for deer shooting for centuries.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xKBnAAAAMAAJ&q=Achentoul|author=Prebble, John|title=John Prebble's Scotland|publisher=Secker & Warburg|year=1984|page=201|isbn=9780436386343}} The area is frequented by deer year round, as well as birds of prey.
Culture
Achentoul Lodge was built c. 1900. It is situated southeast of Loch An Ruathair, overlooking the moorland to the north of Kinbrace.{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst4728.html|title=Achentoul Lodge|work=scottish-places.info|accessdate=23 October 2010}}
The lodge organizes hind stalking during the winter months (October–February) to kill deer, which are considered pests to the forest.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstfoot.com/tour/achentoul-estate-hind-stalking-1673.htm|title=Achentoul Hind Stalking|publisher=First Foot|accessdate=22 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612062915/http://www.firstfoot.com/tour/achentoul-estate-hind-stalking-1673.htm|archive-date=12 June 2011|url-status=dead}} For the sport the farm charges up to £130 for a session if the shooter hires a keeper, although a stalker is only permitted to kill two deer in a session. However, the farm claims that the hind stalking is for woodland conservation purposes primarily, given that the Achentoul estate by 1970 had dedicated {{convert|1000|acre|ha}} for afforestation and sold {{convert|604|acre|ha}} to the Forestry Commission.{{cite book|title=Strath of Kildonan: proposals for development|publisher=Volume 5 of Special reports, Highland and Islands Development Board|year=1970}} Rabbit shooting on the farm is also available.
A notable family on the farm are the Nutting family, who hired the late Donald Mackay to manage the farm in 1958. He worked in Achentoul for a long time with the Henderson brothers; he died in 2010, aged 76.{{cite news |url=http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Home/Mr-Donnie-Mackay-Achentoul-and-Golspie-6162892.htm |title=Mr Donnie Mackay, Achentoul and Golspie |newspaper=The Northern Times |date=2 September 2010 |accessdate=20 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052430/http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Home/Mr-Donnie-Mackay-Achentoul-and-Golspie-6162892.htm |archive-date=22 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}
The Ca na Catanach is a {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} medieval road and drovers' road with a footpath between Dorrery Lodge and the north end of Achentoul.{{cite web|url=http://www.heritagepaths.co.uk/pathdetails.php?path=292|title=Ca na Catanach|publisher=Heritage Paths|accessdate=23 October 2010}}
Kinbrace Hill (also known as Kinbrace Farm or Achentoul Forest) is noted by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland for a long, chambered cairn.{{cite web|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/6658/photographs/kinbrace+hill/|title=Kinbrace Hill|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|accessdate=23 October 2010}}