The Achlorachan Coastal Heritage Group is repairing the rifle range and target near Achiltibuie which was used for both World Wars.

The range was built around 1913 and was used as a training ground for local men joining regiments, including the Seaforth Highlanders and Lovat Scouts, but it had fallen into ruin.

Local volunteers are working to improve the site, including repairing walls and providing a plaque with information on its history. The new path replaces a boggy track along an old right of way which is a popular route for walkers, who may now be interested to stop and learn about the site. The community is grateful to Scottish Water for their help in building a 500-metre access pathway to the range while they were creating a nearby track to one of their facilities.

The heritage group involves local crofters, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust and forms part of the Coigach-Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme. This scheme is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and funded by Heritage Lottery and this, and other local donations, has helped make renovation work of the Achlochan peninsula rifle range possible.

Mairi Thornton, of the Achlochan Coastal Heritage Group, believes the site can finally receive the recognition it deserves as an important part of the community’s social history and in remembrance of the young men who trained there and lost their lives in both wars.