Tongue

Tongue is a tiny settlement, but nevertheless it is the largest place that north west Sutherland has to offer. It is also where the A836 finally heads south from the north coast, leaving the A838 to continue westwards to Durness before turning down the west coast. A little to the south lies the remote settlement of Altnaharra, famed for being the coldest place in the British Isles most winters.

For many years the A838 had to thread its way around the deep inlet of the Kyle of Tongue, however in 1971 the causeway and bridge across the Kyle were opened, cutting 6 or 7 miles off of the route west. Unfortunately, Loch Eriboll nearer Durness wasn't crossed in a similar manner, but the geography is more challenging. The A838 still performs a sharp double bend in the middle of the village, climbing up the hillside. Whilst there are unclassified roads which short cut the distance to either part of the A836, they are narrow and not necessarily quicker than the main roads.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A836	Lairg, Bonar Bridge
A836	Thurso	Slowly being upgraded to S2
A838	Durness, (Ullapool)	Crosses the Causeway

Links

• Undiscovered Scotland