Encompassing a broad swath of Scotland stretching from Inverness north to Thurso, Scotland's spectacular Highlands are separated from the rest of the country by the "Great Glen": Glen More. This ancient fault line was used to create the remarkable Caledonian Canal extending from the west coast to the east, from Loch Linnhe to the Moray Firth. While much of this mountainous region is uninhabited (and therefore excellent for hiking and biking adventures) it does boast many lovely small towns and villages. One of the prettiest is the tiny coastal town ofDornoch, noted for its cathedral and castle ruins. At the top end is John o'Groats, home to Scotland's most photographed signpost. It includes distances to Lands End in Cornwall at the southernmost tip of England (874 mi), as well as "Your Town" (you can add letters to spell out the name and mileage to your hometown!).
1 The City of Inverness
A great place to begin exploring Inverness is in the grounds of lovely Inverness Castle. After sightseeing, head to the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery with its displays about the city's rich cultural heritage as well as the history of the Highlands. The late 19th century Neo-Gothic St Andrew's Cathedral stands opposite Castle Hill on the banks of the River Ness and is well worth a visit.
Another notable attraction is Abertarff House, Inverness's oldest building dating from 1592. TheTitanic Inverness Maritime Museum is a fun attraction as a small interactive maritime museum with nautical-themed displays including the world's largest model of the ill-fated Titanic (1:10 scale).
Accomodation: Where to Stay in Inverness - TripAdvisor.com
2 Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre
It was in Culloden on April 16, 1746, that the last great battle was fought on Scottish soil and the fate of the Stuarts - and Scotland - was determined. The new Visitor Centre is a must with its first-hand accounts of the battle, a 360-degree film realistically portraying the day's events, and spectacular rooftop views of the battlefield. Also of interest are the gravestones of the Scottish clans, as well as the 20 ft high Memorial Cairn erected in 1881 to commemorate the battle.
Other landmarks include Old Leanach Cottage and the Cumberland Stone commemorating the spot where the Duke of Cumberland issued orders to his troops. The battlefield is strewn with memorials bearing witness to the dead, including the Keppoch Stone indicating the location where Alastair MacDonell, head of the Keppoch clan, fell. Another recalls the Irish Wild Geese (mercenaries in the service of the French crown who fought on the side of the Highlanders), and the "English Stone" commemorates those who fought alongside Cumberland.
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Admission: Adults, £11; Families, £26
Address: Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Highlands
Official site: www.nts.org.uk/culloden/
3 Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle, just 10 mi northeast of Culloden, is famous as the place where Shakespeare's version of Macbeth murdered Duncan. Although not historically accurate (Duncan was in fact murdered by Macbeth at the Battle of Elgin), it's a wonderful place to visit with its large collection of Shakespearean literature and fine period furniture. A hawthorn tree dating from 1370 acted as a sign to the first Thane to build a castle here, and today the lovely grounds of this fairytale garden with its colorful flowerbeds are well worth a visit, as are the nature trails and 9-hole golf course. A quaint cottage on the grounds is available for rent for those looking to really soak up the ambiance of this historic castle and estate.
Also of interest is nearby Fort George, a huge artillery fortress built after the Battle of Culloden to keep the defeated Highlanders in check. Besides extensive military installations, the fort also houses the regimental museum of the Queen's Own Highlanders.
Hours: Daily (May-Oct)
Admission: Adults, £10; Children (5-15), £6.50; Families, £2
Location: Cawdor, Nairn
Official site: www.cawdorcastle.com
4 The Lantern of the North: Elgin and its Historic Cathedral
Located just 38 mi east of Inverness on the road to Aberdeen, Elgin has a number of historic attractions worthy of a visit. After centuries of plundering, what's left of Elgin Cathedral's tower hints at the former splendor of the 314 ft long "Lantern of the North" as the church was known. Other features still visible include the west facade, the 13th century choir, the great east rose window, and the octagonal chapterhouse. Elgin is also home to Scotland's oldest church, Birnie Church, which dates from 1140.
Other tourist sites of interest are Spynie Palace with its massive David's Tower built in 1470; Duffus Castle, a fine example of a Norman motte and bailey castle; and Brodie Castle and Country Park, seat of the Brodie family since 1160 and home to fine French furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, Chinese porcelain, and a notable collection of paintings including works by French Impressionists and English and Dutch artists. Your tour around the extensive grounds should include a visit to the 6 ft high Pictish Rodney Stone, carved with Celtic animal symbols and inscriptions.
Hours: Daily, 9:30am-5:30pm
Admission: Adults, £5.50; Children, £3.30
Location: King St, Elgin, Moray
5 Loch Maree: Mother Nature at Her Best
Loch Maree is a deep Pleistocene valley that serves as a habitat for otters and black-throated divers, and is a big draw for hikers due to its nature trails. The more demanding mountain trail, a 4 mi circular tour, offers an unforgettable view over Loch Maree and the majestic mountains that make this part of the Highlands so popular. Other nearby highlights include Victoria Falls, a waterfall near Shatterdale named after Queen Victoria (she visited the loch in 1877).
The attractive village of Gairloch is another scenic stop on the Highlands' tourist route and lies in a sheltered sandy bay. Along with its 9-hole golf course, there's also the Gairloch Heritage Museum with its displays detailing the cultural and economic development of the area from the Stone Age to the present day.
6 Inverewe Garden and Estate
Subtropical Inverewe Garden and Estate overlooks a sheltered bay by Loch Ewe near Poolewe (5 mi north of Gairloch) and has thrived here thanks to the area's mild climate. Osgood Mackenzie was only 20 years old when, in 1862, he proved that plants from distant lands could survive on the poor Torridon sandstone and acid peaty soil if it is enriched by loam from the coast and the wet peat was drained. Highlights include rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias, eucalyptus from New Zealand, Japanese ferns, Himalayan lilies, South American water lilies, giant forget-me-nots from the South Pacific, rock gardens, ponds, Scotch pines and rare varieties of palms.
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm (Apr-Oct)
Admission: Adults, £10.50; Families, £24.50
Location: Poolewe, Ross-shire
Official site: www.nts.org.uk/Property/Inverewe-Garden-and-Estate/
7 Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle
Some of the Highland's most stunning scenery is to be found 22 mi north of Ullapool around beautiful Loch Assynt. This unforgettable picture book landscape is famous amongst anglers for its salmon and trout, as well as its majestic mountain panorama. At the eastern end of the loch stand the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, built in 1590 for the MacLeods and later run by the MacKenzies and Sutherlands. Other historic ruins include a kiln barn and a mill, as well as the remains of an ancient chambered cairn. Also nearby is Inchnadamph Nature Reserve, home toScotland's largest network of caves, Loch a'Chairn Bhain's seal colony, and the 658 ft high Eas a Chual Aluinn Falls, Britain's highest waterfalls.
Official site: www.discoversutherland.co.uk/lochassynt.php
8 The Clo Mor Cliffs and Cape Wrath
Mainland Scotland's most north-westerly point, Cape Wrath offers up some of the most remarkable views overlooking the North Atlantic toward the Orkney Isles. It's also one of the wildest parts of the Highlands, full of interesting geological features and steeped in maritime history. One of the few man made structures in the area is the lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1827 on the spectacular Clo Mor Cliffs (920 ft). The area is also popular amongst birdwatchers, and for hikers, numerous trails crisscross the area, including some leading to lovely Loch Nevis.
Official site: www.visitcapewrath.com
9 Dunrobin Castle
Only a mile northeast of Golspie stands imposing Dunrobin Castle, seat of the influential counts and dukes of Sutherland who, by the end of the 19th century, owned more land than any other landowner in Europe. The castle itself was begun in 1275, although much of the neo-Baronial style seen today dates from the mid-19th century. The attractive corner towers with their conical slate roofs lend a distinct fairytale look reminiscent of the famous Loire Valley chateaux in France. Of the 189 rooms, the Drawing Room stands out as a highlight with its Louis XV-style furniture, fine portraits and 18th century tapestries. The extensive Italian-style gardens are ideal for a stroll and also offer fine views over the Dornoch Firth.
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm (Apr-Oct)
Admission: Adults, £10; Children, £5.50; Families, £26.00
Location: Golspie, Sutherland
Official site: www.dunrobincastle.co.uk
10 The Orkney Isles
While the Orkneys are popular with walkers, nature lovers, birdwatchers and anglers, there's also plenty of interest for more traditional tourists, including its famous prehistoric sites. Two of the most famous are Maes Howe Chambered Cairn, Britain's best-preserved Stone Age burial chamber dating from 2500 BC, and the Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, an open-air museum with well-preserved houses and remnants of Stone Age furnishings.
Of the 67 Orkney islands only 18 are inhabited, and many of the others serve as breeding grounds for seabirds, kestrels, peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and golden eagles. Kirkwall, the largest town, has a number of historic sites of interest, including St Magnus Cathedral, reminiscent of the cathedral in the Norwegian city of Trondheim (Norway once owned these islands); the 12th century Bishop's Palace, in which Norway's most famous King, Haakon, died in 1263; and the ruins of Earl Patrick's Palace, one of the finest examples of 16th century Scottish secular architecture.
Official site: www.orkney.com
11 The Shetland Islands
Hikers and mountain bikers alike enjoy exploring the Shetland Islands, as do watersports enthusiasts who can choose to play on more than 350 lakes or the vast Atlantic Ocean. The lochs, well stocked with brown and rainbow trout, are a paradise for fly fishermen, and there are also many opportunities for deep-sea fishing. For golfers, the chance of a round at midnight on Britain's northernmost golf course is irresistible, and birdwatchers are drawn to Fair Isle, Mousa, Noss and near Herma Ness to watch Arctic terns, shearwaters, razorbills, gannets and the amusing puffins, known here as "Tammy Noirie".
Shetland consists of nearly 100 islands, together forming the northern-most outposts of the British Isles (it's 100 mi from the mainland and on the same latitude as the Norwegian city ofBergen). The Shetland Islands are also home to many spectacular Stone Age sites, the best of which is the Jarlshof Prehistoric Settlement, a fascinating complex that includes Bronze Age roundhouses alongside Viking longhouses.
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