Walking and Climbing in the Extreme

The North Highlands are a walkers’ and climbers’ paradise, away from the noise and pollution of the cities and back in the heart of nature.

Climbs

Ben Hope, for example, is the most northerly Munro. It offers a gentle southerly approach along with more challenging climbs. The mountain is a roughly triangular wedge, with a great crag on the west, with two lower shoulders to the south and northeast. Alpine flowers are abundant in season, although the ground is very rocky.

Ben Loyal is an isolated mountain of 764 m in Sutherland, the northwestern tip of the Scottish Highlands. It is a Corbett located south of the Kyle of Tongue, and provides good views of the Kyle, Loch Loyal to the east, and Ben Hope to the west. It has a distinctive shape due to the four rocky peaks, the highest of which is called An Caisteal.

Walks

The landscape is unique, offering something for people of all abilities with something in common – a love of the land and a love of nature.

Throughout the North Highlands there are hundreds of walks – from hillwalking to coastal trails and relaxing woodland strolls. For example, a short walk up Struie Hill is rewarded with a stunning view across the Dornoch Firth. Walk along the rivers of Balnahown, Alness and Glass and you may see a Goosander, Dipper or Kingfisher as Buzzards soar overhead. Dingwall offers a range of short walks, including the Heights of Brae which overlook the town and the Black Isle. Enjoy fine views over the Minch and Coigach from Meall Mhor . Durness offers a huge range of coastal walks – but also into moorland.

Be Prepared

As you may expect from being in the extreme, the weather can quickly change. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing, have adequate supplies and, where appropriate, navigational equipment.

Walking Highlights Map

Accommodation for Walkers

1. Inver Caravan Park

Visit Scotland Inver Caravan Park is a small, friendly STB*** Touring Park, which is listed with the Camping and Ca... more >

Inver Park House
Dunbeath
t: 01593 731441

2. Glengolly B and B

Glengolly Bed and Breakfast is sited in Durness the most north westerly village on the British Mainl... more >

Glengolly
Durine
Durness
t: 01971 511255

3. Inverbrora Farmhouse B and B

Ideally located on the A9, just south of Brora this Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast is based only one ho... more >

Inverbrora Farm
Brora
t: 01408 621208

4. Sharvedda

Visit Scotland A warm Highland welcome awaits you at Sharvedda. Sharvedda is a modern, non-smoking, family bed and ... more >

Sharvedda
Strathy Point
Thurso
t: 01641 541311

5. Wester Ross Retreats

The best selection of self-catering cottages in the Wester Ross area. All our cottages are based aro... more >

5 Braeside
Gairloch
t: 01445 712179

6. Smoo Cave Hotel

Welcome to the web site of the Smoo Cave Hotel. Our small family run friendly hotel is situated in t... more >

Lerin
Durness
t: 01971 511227

7. Bilbster Mains

Visit Scotland North Bilbster Cottage and the Gardener's Cottage are traditionally built stone cottages (100yrs +) ... more >

Bilbster Mains
Bilbster
Wick
t: 01955 621226

8. Ackergill Tower

Welcome to Ackergill Tower, one of the most sought after retreats in the world. A world famous 15th ... more >

Ackergill
Wick
t: 01955 603556

9. Aultbea Lodges

Visit Scotland Self Catering Accommodation in Aultbea near Poolewe and Inverewe Gardens, ideal self catering cottag... more >

Drumchork
Aultbea
t: 01408 621041

10. Culgower House

Visit Scotland Originally built in 1850 as a farmhouse for Sutherland Estates, Culgower House lies between Brora an... more >

Culgower House
Loth
Helmsdale
t: 01431 821 268

11. Eddrachilles Hotel

Visit Scotland Welcome to The Eddrachilles Hotel - a small, owner-managed hotel offering comfortable accommodation ... more >

Eddrachilles Hotel
Badcall
Scourie
t: 01971 502080

12. Gull Cottage

Situated in the wild and unspoilt North West Coast of Scotland overlooking Loch Inchard. This recent... more >

Gull Cottage
Achriesgill
Rhiconich
t: 01971 521717

13. Burnside Cottage

Detatched 2 bedroom croft cottage overlooking open countryside and on towards the sea, running along... more >

Burnside Croft
15, Achrimsdale
Brora
t: 01408 621387

14. An Grianan

This desirable family house commands a lovely Sleeps Eight in Four Bedrooms. Suitable for two famil... more >

288 Sheigra
Kinlochbervie
t: 01651 851219

15. Inver Lodge Hotel

Visit Scotland Welcome to Inver Lodge Hotel and Chez Roux Restaurant, Loch Inver, Scotland. Set amid one of the ... more >

Inver Lodge Hotel
Iolaire Road
Lochinver
t: 01571 844496

16. The Crossburn

Set in almost two acres of gardens and woodland on the north east coast of Caithness, The Crossburn ... more >

The Crossburn
Latheronwheel
t: 01593 741284

17. Ruddyglow Park

Visit Scotland Luxurious 5 star, country house bed and breakfast, nestled between the foothills of Quinag and the e... more >

Ruddyglow Park
Loch Assynt, Near Lochinver
by Lairg
t: 01571 822216

18. Cathair Dhubh Estate

Visit Scotland The luxury cottages on Cathair Dhubh Estate... ... offer you the rare opportunity to experience the... more >

Cathair Dhubh
Clachtoll
by Lochinver
t: 01571 855277

19. Burnside Croft Caravan

looking for affordable accommodation, this 6 berth caravan situated on a 6acre croft, with views acc... more >

Burnside Croft
15, Achrimsdale
Brora
t: 01408 621387

20. Northern Sands Hotel

The family-run Northern Sands Hotel is situated in the centre of Dunnet village, and is ideally plac... more >

Northern Sands Hotel
Dunnet
t: 01847 851270

21. The Shepherd's Cottage at Ruddyglow Park

Our lovely traditional, stone built, cottage, which dates back to the early 1800's is the perfect pl... more >

Loch Assynt
Lochinver
t: 01571 822216

22. Glendarroch House

Visit Scotland Glendarroch House is a traditional Highland home built 170 years ago and in the ownership of the sam... more >

Glendarroch House
Lochinver
t: 01431 821207

23. Kylesku Hotel

small independent hotel with 8 bedrooms, most of which have fantastic views over the loch. The bar a... more >

Kylesku Hotel
Kylesku
Lairg
t: 01971 502231

24. Cloisters

Recently built in traditional style to harmonise with the existing 19th century church (now converte... more >

Churcholme
Skinnet
Talmine
t: 01847 601286

25. Studio Apartment

Visit Scotland This delightful 19th century Scottish country house is set in over an acre of landscaped gardens wit... more >

The Old Manse
Latheron
t: 01593 741740

26. Seaview Hotel

Visit Scotland Small family run overlooking Pentland Firth and Orkney Isles. We serve the very best of local produ... more >

Seaview Hotel
John O'Groats
t: 01955 611220

27. Bruach Ard

Visit Scotland Bruach Ard overlooks beautiful Loch Ewe at Inverasdale near Poolewe in Wester Ross, looking across t... more >

Bruach Ard
7, Braes
Poolewe
t: 01445 781765

28. Rhian Guest House

Visit Scotland Originally a gamekeeper's cottage, Rhian is totally non-smoking and set in over 20 acres of private ... more >

Rhian Cottage
Tongue
t: 01847 611257

Activities for Walkers

1. RSPB Scotland, Peatland Visitor Centre

A threatened landscape, peatlands have vanished across much of Scotland, but the RSPB is helping to ... more >

RSPB
Forsinard Station
Forsinard
t: 01641 571225

2. Golspie Golf Club

18 hole links/heathland/parkland with extremely scenic views. Self catering accommodation on site by... more >

Ferry Rd
Golspie
t: 01408 633266/634187