Highland Counties

Scotland > Highland Counties

The placenames of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness, Isle of Skye and Lochaber conjure up an image of romance and spectacular scenery. The romance is associated with the exploits of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora McDonald and the many couples since who have spent their honeymoons here.

The scenery, however, speaks for itself - from the Sands of Morar to the Summer Isles and from crashing seas off Duncansby Head to the mountain ranges of Cairngorms and Glencoe. This is before you mention Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, Torridon, the Caledonian Canal and mountains with stunning names and shapes such as Suilven, Canisp, Foinaven and Stac Pollaidh.

For the visitor, this spectacular natural environment is complemented by some excellent visitor facilities - many excellent hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments and self catering units - and some superbly situated caravan and camp sites. Over the last 2 decades the number of restaurants serving dishes with local ingredients has increased and it is well worth keeping an ear open for the best places to go. When you find a restaurant that you feel is worthy of recommendation, let us know and we may add it to our list if it is not already there!

Getting to the Highlands is not difficult but can be time consuming. The A82 (Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William and Loch Ness) and the A9/M90 (Edinburgh to Inverness via Aviemore) are the two main arteries. However, air travel to Inverness is increasing and rail transport to Fort William and Inverness (and sleepers) is also available. (http://www.scotlandgroupsguide.com/).

The Highlands are fast becoming the outdoor centre of the UK - the number of businesses supporting outdoor pursuits has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Every type of mountain pursuit is available plus cycling, walking (in abundance), pony trekking and golf (more so in the north east especially Dornoch and Tain).

The main centres of Inverness and Fort William offer some excellent shopping but you have to sort out the quality from the tat in many towns. Quality goods, however are excellent (especially jewellery, woollens and quality gifts).

Accommodation can also be excellent but do look out for the accolades - unless, of course, you have already been personally recommended or have visited before! There are also a growing number of small specialist restaurants - well worth looking out for yourself or keep you eyes on YesScotland!