Achiltibuie

ACHILTIBUIE is a remote crofting and fishing township on the west side of Coigach peninsula. “There is a marvellous amount of nothing to do in Achiltibuie”, says the brochure of the Summer isles Hotel. This is a place to be savoured by those who appreciate how the west of Scotland used to be. it offers [...]

Across the Top itinerary

From Durness to Duncansby, a day on the spectacular north coast will take you through a changing landscape – from beautiful uncrowded beaches, over vast sweeping expanses of moorland and through crofting communities strung along the coast into the fertile farmlands of Caithness where archaeological treasures hint at thousands of years of human habitation. Smoo [...]

An Teallach

AN TEALLACH (G The Forge) is perhaps named for its mists rising like smoke from its heights. This ridge of high peaks, corries, buttresses and craigs dominates Little Loch Broom, but to appreciate its real splendour one needs to do some hiking as the spectacular main corrie is not visible from the road. The mountain [...]

Balblair Woods

Balblair Wood was replanted with Scots Pine in 1905 after a violent storm. It lies to the south of Golspie past the golf course. A series of nature trails though the wood offers pleasant walking in all seasons, but it is a special treat in summer. The very rare One-flowered Wintergreen (or St Olaf ’s [...]

Beinn Eighe

BEINN EIGHE and Slioch to the north stand sentinel over Loch Maree. In 1951 the first National Nature Reserve was created here, consisting of 230ha of relict Caledonian Forest (G Coille na Glas Leitre, Wood of the Grey Slope) and over 4,000ha of mountain and moorland. Woodland Trail. This type of woodland is known as [...]

Ben Bhraggie

Ben Bhraggie (394m) and its statue of the 1st Duke of Sutherland is a prominent landmark. The summit can be reached by a path leading from the centre of the village. There are fine panoramic views along the coast. The return route follows Dunrobin Glen and the Big Burn past a waterfall and small gorge.

Ben Hope and Loch Hope

Ben Hope (ON Hjop, Bay, 927m) is the highest mountain in the north. Its northern and western aspects are dramatic and craggy. It can be climbed from Alltnacaillich (Nc459457) by following a well marked, but steep and rocky path for about 3.5 miles. The panoramas from the summit are worth the climb. Many alpine wild [...]

Ben Loyal

Ben Loyal (perhaps pre-Celtic, 764m) is a Syenite volcanic intrusion with four summits. Its most spectacular aspect is probably from the north from the car park on the Kyle of Tongue causeway. Another fine viewpoint is over Lochan Hakel on the old road round the Kyle. The normal ascent route follows a track from Ribigill [...]

Ben More Assynt and Conival

Ben More Assynt (998m) and Conival (987m) are the highest peaks in the district. Only the great western bulk of Conival is visible from the road. Both are capped by Cambrian Quartzite, grey on a dull day but bright in the sun. The ascent is normally made from the Inchnadamph Hotel, but it is a [...]

Ben Wyvis

BEN WYVIS (1046m) stands in splendid isolation from the other mountains of the North Highlands. Its whaleback ridge is visible from afar. it consists of Moine schist heavily moulded by the last ice Age. The many mounds and ridges in the lower areas are glacial as are the erratic boulders dumped as the ice retreated. [...]

Canisp

Canisp (ON White Mountain, 846m) is to the northeast of Suilven and stands isolated 691m above its surrounding wilderness. The view from the top is regarded as being one of the best in Scotland, and which repays the long trek in from the cam Loch, Loch Awe or Lochinver.

Cape Wrath

CAPE WRATH (ON Hvarf, Turning Point) is eighteen kilometers from Durness Village and is the most north-westerly point on the British mainland. The engineer in charge of building Cape Wrath lighthouse was Robert Stevenson. It was first lit in 1828, and has an elevation of 122m. Stone for the tower and dwelling houses was quarried at [...]

Coigach

COIGACH (G na Coig Achaidhean, The Five Ach’s), the mountainous peninsula north of Loch Broom was divided into coig’s, or fifths. It is accessed by a single track road that winds its way to Achiltibuie, or north to Lochinver. The road follows Lochs Lurgainn, Bad a’Ghaill and Osgaig, and offers many fine views of cul [...]

Corrieshalloch

Corrieshalloch (G Coire Shalach, Ugly corry) has a fine waterfall, Eisan na Miasaich, (G Fall of the Place of Platters) or the Falls of Measach. This 61m deep box canyon is situated just south of Braemore, 12 miles east of Ullapool. The car park and access is off the A832 just after the junction with [...]

Discover the North Highlands of Scotland

A useful map leaflet for the North Highlands of Scotland that describes all the area has to offer:- Dramatic coastlines Beautiful landscapes Amazing wildlife Fascinating history Magical experiences

Duncansby Head

DUNCANSBY HEAD (ON Dungal’s Boer, Dungal’s Estate) is called Veruvium Promantarium, or Clear-cut Cape on Ptolemy’s map, which well describes it. Many people drive to the car park, take a look and leave, which is a pity as the coastal walk south from the lighthouse is a delight which should not be missed. To the [...]

Dunnet Bay & Castlehill

DUNNET BAY has a fine 2 mile stretch of sand, backed by high dunes and extensive links. When the sea is up, massive waves break here which is attractive to surfers. The beach is popular for walking, sand yachting and other pursuits. Dunnet ranger Visitor centre, at the caravan site, has displays about the various [...]

Falls of Glomach

The Falls of Glomach (G Glom, chasm, NG977222) at 113m, are arguably the most spectacular, though not the highest in UK. They can be reached by a 4 mile hike up a good path from the Forestry commission car park at Strath Coe, off the A87 and inland from Morvich. Though the falls themselves are [...]

Falls of Kirkaig

A path follows the river eastwards from here to the Falls of Kirkaig (about 2 miles) through a woodland of Rowan, Hazel and Aspen. The falls themselves are only 18m high, but after rain, they can be quite dramatic. in spring and early summer Salmon may be seen attempting to leap the falls, but they [...]

Forsinard RSPB Reserve

Forsinard RSPB Reserve is open at all times. It has a flagstone trail which winds through the moor past lochans and peat bog. The Visitor centre in the railway station is open from April to October and has audiovisuals and live nest watch displays. Guided walks are regularly available. There are many roadside viewing sites. [...]

John O’Groats to Land’s End

John O’Groats is at one end of the longest distance between two inhabited points on the British mainland, Land’s End being the other. It is the starting point, or end point, of many walks, cycle journeys and motorcycle rides, often for charity. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode their BMW GS R1200s from John O’Groats, [...]

Kintail

KINTAIL (G Ceann t-saile, Head of the Salt Water) in the southeast provides a dramatic entrance to Wester ross. The A87 passes though Glen Shiel with 1,000m mountains on both sides of the road, including the lovely Five Sisters of Kintail, before descending to Shiel Bridge at the head of Loch Duich. The Five Sisters [...]

Knockan Crag

KNOCKAN CRAG (G Creag a’ Chnocain, crag of the Small Hill), is 13 miles north of Ullapool on the A835. This site is famous for its geology as it formed part of the scientific debate about what is now called the Moine Thrust, where older rocks are thrust horizontally over newer ones. A combination of [...]

Quinag

QUINAG (G Chuineag, milking pail) is a large mountain (808m), which dominates the landscape all around it. Perhaps the most striking view is from the road north of the Kylesku Bridge. The mountain is composed of Torridonian Sandstone and the high peaks are topped by Cambrian Quartzite.

Stac Pollaidh

Stac Pollaidh (613m) may take its name from the river Polly just to the north. its summit is only 500m above the car park via a very clear path. The views from the top more than repay the effort. Inverpolly Special Area of conservation is spread out before you. it covers the ground west of [...]

Strathnaver

STRATHNAVER The Province of Strathnaver originally stretched from Kylesku to Caithness. There is evidence of long settlement here from ancient times with Neolithic chambered cairns, stone circles, Bronze Age cist burials and Iron Age brochs. A mixture of Gaelic and Norse placenames as well as many ruined farmsteads and settlements evoke more recent times. The [...]

Suilven

Suilven (ON Sula, Pillar rock G Bheinn, mountain, 731m) is perhaps Scotland’s most iconic mountain, though far from its highest. It towers over its surrounding moorland and lochs, yet is a relatively easy climb, either from Inverkirkaig or from the north via Glencanisp Lodge near Lochinver. Both routes involve long walks. Canisp (ON White Mountain, [...]

Torridon

TORRIDON (ON Thorfinn’s Township, or G Place of Transference) is full of scenic grandeur, its ancient mountains rising steeply and dramatically from sea level to over 1,000m. They loom majestically over Upper Loch Torridon, the little villages of Torridon or Fasag, inver Alligin, Alligin Shuas and Diabaig at their foot.

Wildlife of the Far North itinerary

Day 1 Leave Inverness on the A9, travelling north towards Dornoch. Once over the Kessock Bridge, a detour can be taken across the Black Isle on the A832 to Cromarty for a boat trip out into the Moray Firth with Ecoventures to look for the UK’s most northerly pod of bottlenose dolphins. Continue up the [...]

Yarrows Archaeology Trail

Yarrows Archaeology Trail is signposted off the A99 near Thrumster. From the car park (ND306435) a circular walk takes in a variety of interesting sites spanning at least 3,000 years. There are three long and two round Neolithic chambered cairns. All are in a ruinous state, but the layout can still be discerned. To the [...]

Highlights – Walking