- published: 26 May 2012
- views: 43678
Coordinates: 58°12′54″N 5°03′02″W / 58.215°N 5.0505°W / 58.215; -5.0505
Assynt (Scottish Gaelic: Asainte) is a civil parish in west Sutherland, Highland, Scotland – north of Ullapool.
It is famous for its landscape (Inverpolly Nature Reserve) and its remarkable mountains (Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Cùl Mòr, Stac Pollaidh, Ben More Assynt). Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, which includes a visitor centre interpreting the geological feature the Moine Thrust, is part of the North West Highlands Geopark. Assynt hosts the longest cave in Scotland, Uamh An Claonaite, which lies 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Inchnadamph.
The name Assynt may derive from an Old Norse word 'A-ssynt meaning seen from afar and/or from Ass which is Old Norse for rocky. There is also a 'vague tradition' that the name comes from a fight between the two brothers Unt and Ass-Unt, (meaning Man of Peace and Man of Discord). The latter having won the tussle gave his name to the parish.
In June 2005 the Glencanisp estate, including the mountains Suilven and Canisp and the neighbouring Drumrunie estate, with the mountains Cùl Mòr and Cùl Beag, were bought by the local community. The Assynt Foundation aims to create local employment and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations, and for the enjoyment of the wider public. The estates of Glencanisp and Drumrunie totalling some 18,000 hectares are managed by the Assynt Foundation on behalf of the Assynt community.
You know that it would be untrue;
You know that I would be a liar;
If I was to say to you;
Girl, we couldn't get much higher
Come on, baby, light my fire,
Come on, baby, light my fire,
Try to set the night on fire
The time to hesitate is through,
No time to wallow in the mire,
Try now we can only lose,
And our love become a funeral pyre
The time to hesitate is through,
No time to wallow in the mire;
If I was to say to you;