Achany, a mansion in Lairg parish, S Sutherlandshire,beautifully situated on the right bank of the Shin, 4 miles NNW of Invershin station. Purchased in 1840, its estate was greatly improved by the late Sir James Matheson, Bart. of the Lews and Achany (1796-1878),owner of 424,560 acres, valued at £19,489 per annum. Hugh Miller speaks of ' the woods of Achany, famous for their nuts. '

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)