On the water you’ll find a wide variety of seabirds including puffins, waders and terns and on the land Birds of Prey including ospreys and Golden eagles, owls and kestrels. Seals, dolphins and whales visit or make the North Highlands their home. You’ll also find Red deer, otters and Red squirrels and encouraged by the rich diversity of wild flowers, many insects survive in the more natural North Highlands environment, when they have dissapeared elsewhere. Visit the sites below or why not enjoy one of the ranger guided events available from spring to autumn which will bring you closer to nature.
Across the Top itineraryFrom 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 [...]
Balblair WoodsBalblair 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 EigheBEINN 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 BhraggieBen 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 WyvisBEN 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. [...]
CorrieshallochCorrieshalloch (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 ScotlandA 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 HeadDUNCANSBY 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 [...]
Falls of GlomachThe 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 KirkaigA 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 ReserveForsinard 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. [...]
HandaHANDA (ON, Sand-ey, Sandy isle) is a small island near Scourie famous for its birds and wild flowers, taking its name from its beaches. It is composed of Torridonian Sandstone which gives it a totally different character to much of the nearby mainland, and which weathers to make the ledges so liked by birds. Although [...]
Inchnadamph NNRInchnadamph NNR is something of a paradise for geologists and botanists. The former come to study the complex rock formations of the Moine Thrust, while the latter are attracted by the amazing diversity of plants which grow on the limestone outcrops in this area. Even people with little knowledge of geology or botany cannot fail [...]
KintailKINTAIL (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 [...]
Loch FleetLOCH FLEET (ON fljotr, flood), the tidal estuary of the River Fleet, lies between Golspie and Dornoch. It has a diverse combination of habitats including both salt and freshwater mudflats, saltmarsh, Alderwoods, Pinewoods and sand dunes. The varied surroundings include farmland, woodland and moorland. The unusual combination supports a wide range of wildlife throughout the [...]
QuinagQUINAG (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.
Rogie FallsThe Rogie Falls (ON Roki A, Sparkling river) off the A835 2 miles west of contin are well worth a visit when the rivers are in spate. A path leads from the car park to several good viewpoints over the river Blackwater including a suspension bridge near the Falls. When the Salmon are running in [...]
The Dramatic North West itineraryYour itinerary today will take you through some of the most spectacular and rugged landscapes in the country, into the heartland of the Clan Mackay – a place famed for its exceptional geology and outstanding scenery and one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe. Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve Knockan Crag National Nature [...]
Travel to the top itineraryDrive to Dornoch stopping for lunch at the Dornoch Castle Hotel. Dornoch is a small towna pproximately 1 hours drive from Inverness. Why not take a stroll around Dornoch cathedral or stretch your legs on the magnificent sandy beach and watch the golfers on the championship links course. Next to Brora where you can discover [...]
Wildlife of the Far North itineraryDay 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 [...]
