Facing the full force of Atlantic gales in winter, this remote and rugged coastline of deep sea-inlets, jagged cliffs and sandy beaches is backed by spectacular mountains and blanket bog. Its pristine landscapes are largely intact and unspoilt. On the north coast, the land is divided by walls of huge round stones and dotted with tiny white houses, each with its own turf stack. The thatched roofs are roped down against the onslaught of the winter weather.