AchiltibuieACHILTIBUIE 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 [...]
AlnessAlness (G Alanais, bog,wet place or ON A Ness, Point of the river) has a long and pretty main street with a Thomas Telford bridge in the middle. The town regularly wins Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions due to its fine displays of floral art.
ApplecrossApplecreoss (P Aber Crossan, Mouth of the Crossan) is a large mountainous peninsula composed of Torridonian Sandstone between Loch Kishorn and Loch Torridon. Though not unique in the Highlands for its remote situation, Applecross remains a thriving community. it can only be reached by two long narrow roads or by sea. Bealach na Ba (G [...]
Conon Bridge and Muir of OrdConon Bridge and Muir of Ord were formerly on the A9 road north, but like Dingwall have been by-passed so nowadays they are tranquil little villages, spared from through traffic. Places to visit from here include the Glen Ord Distillery.
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 [...]
CromartyCromarty (G Crom; N Vagr, Bent Bay) is a delightful and unspoilt little village perched on a small headland protruding into the entrance of the cromarty Firth. A visit here is a real treat. The Romans called the Cromarty Firth Portus Salutis, and doubtless a Pictish settlement existed here, but no evidence has been found. A [...]
DingwallDingwall (ON Thing Vollr, Field of the Thing or Meeting Place), sits at the head of the cromarty Firth and is sheltered from the west by hills. it was elevated to the status of a royal Burgh in 1226 and prospered for nearly 400 years as the base of the Earl of Ross. From 1707, [...]
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 [...]
FortroseFortrose is an attractive little town with fine sandstone houses surrounding its ruined 13th century cathedral. Only the south aisle and choir remain of what must once have been a very impressive building, as shown by the original outline. Although Cromwell’s army is accused of its destruction, Lord ruthven bought (or took) all of the [...]
GairlochGairloch (G Gearr Loch, Short Loch) until recent times looked to the sea for access to the external world. it offers much of what the West Highlands visitor expects and is an excellent base from which to explore the area. The village consists of a series of little settlements nestling round the shore of the [...]
Gruinard BayGruinard Bay (ON Grunna Fjordur, Shallow Bay) runs in a wide sweep from Mellon Udrigle to Little Loch Broom. At its head a large area of sand is exposed at low tide. To the west the shore is shingly and is backed by a prominent raised beach. At the viewpoint above Little Gruinard a scramble [...]
InvergordonInvergordon takes its name from Sir William Gordon, who owned land here in the 18th century. it was formerly known as Inverbreakie. The Cromarty Firth had, for along time, been used as a safe anchorage before the Royal Navy started to see its potential in the early 1800s. in the mid-1800s it was established as [...]
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 [...]
Plockton and StromeferryPlockton (G am Ploc, The Lump) is an impossibly picturesque little village which nestles in a sheltered bay at the mouth of Loch Carron. The National Trust has been successful in preserving its charm, without turning it into a museum. it was built as a planned fishing village in the early 19th century. Britain’s Prettiest [...]
PoolewePoolewe (ON Bolstadir, farm, Farm of Ewe) sits at the head of Loch Ewe where the short river Ewe enters the sea from Loch Maree. The name Ewe is ancient, but could refer to yew trees, which have always been regarded as holy or the Tree of Life. There is a Pictish symbol in the [...]
Portmahomack and the Tarbat peninsulaPortmahomack (G Port Mo-Cholaig, Colman’s, or Columba’s Port) may claim some association with Columba. It is certainly the best harbour on the entire coast north of Burghead and has been in use as such for a very long time. The presentpier was built by ThomasTelford in 1813-16. Of the two warehouses or girnels, the larger [...]
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 [...]
Stac PollaidhStac 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 [...]
Strome CastleStrome Castle is now a ruin, but from Norse times or earli- er it was an important strategic site. The present buildingdates from the 15th century, when it was most likely a fortified tower house. it was fought over many times by the MacKenzies and the MacDonalds. in 1602 the Lord of Kintail, Kenneth MacKenzie, [...]
TainTain claims to be the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland, having been granted a charter by Malcolm Canmore in 1066, which proclaimed the town as a Sanctuary, known as the Girth o’Tain. He is also said to have granted immunity from taxes on trading to Tain residents. St Duthac was born in Tain in the [...]
TorridonTORRIDON (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.
UllapoolUllapool (N Ulli Bolstadir, Ulli’s Stead) is situated on a sheltered headland near the mouth of Loch Broom. The approach from the east on the A835 gives fine views of the village, with the white washed houses of Shore Street curving round the bay. This attractive spot has probably been inhabited for thousands of years. [...]
