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Ellon Aberdeenshire the ancient capital of Buchan, some 15 miles to the north of Aberdeen, with its old granite buildings lining its riverside on the Ythan, has been transformed recently by vast housing schemes, private and council, to accommodate the growing population.
Looking for some of the best Appin accommodation, Port Appin may be the place to go if you're seeking for vacation accommodation and hospitality in and around Appin and the surrounding county of Argyll and Bute, whether it's a hotel or a guest house. Appin offers holiday accommodation and...
Consider checking out Inverness-Shire Castles, which offers ratings and reviews from previous guests. {jlexreview:off}
Water sports is where it all began for Loch Insh.If you are not that confident in boats or on boards, why not book a lesson with one of our instructors.Instructors can be hired privately.On a day ticket, you can take advantage of joining in Sailing, Canoeing, kayaking and Windsurfing lessons at...
The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula.It has a well-deserved reputation for being a dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms, heavy mist,blizzards and dangerous in low visibility conditions, driving under these conditions, can...
This is a lovely museum known as Groam House Museum is an outstanding centre for Pictish and Celtic Art in Ross-shire.The unique display is focused on 15 carved Pictish stones, sculptures and Pictish art, with a permanent display of a magnificent Rosemarkie cross-slab, decorated with enigmatic...
Beauly Priory, a ruined church of a Valliscaulian, located in the village of Beauly on the A862, The priory, is one of three founded by the Order in 1230. Part of the building was later rebuilt, It became a Cistercian. A plaque tells of Mary Queen of Scots' visit here in 1564 and her travels in...
Highland Hillforts Hill forts are one of the most prominent types of prehistoric monument seen across many parts of Britain and IrelandCraig Mony, Drumnadrochit, It was named after a Norse leader who is said to have besieged it, before retreating further along Glenurquhart, where he was defeated...
Aboyne Castle is a 13th-century castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Aboyne Castle is not open to the public, it is situated in private parkland to the north of the village of Aboyne in Deeside and historically was well defended by marshland. The Castle was first built as a motte and bailey in the...
Urquhart Castle can be found on the A82 road, 20 miles south-west of Inverness and about 2 miles east of the village of Drumnadrochit, in Gaelic meaning “Ridge of The Bridge. The castle stands on a rocky promontory on the north shore of Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland, evidence has been...
Oldshoremore beach Kinlochbervie Scotland. This is a scattered crofting hamlet in the Eddrachillis parish of Sutherland with a beautiful quiet beach, very peaceful and almost deserted, the views breathtaking, well off the beaten track, add 5-10 degrees Celsius and you might as well be in the...
This is a atmospheric croft house, dating to the 1880s, left as the original owner left it at his death in 196o, the buildings are tucked away down a slope quite hidden, it feels like you are entering a time portal, the property was Lived in until 1963, when the Shetland Museum took it over. Dank...
Established in 1824 by James MacGregor, from a family of farmers and illicit distillers who resided in Tomintoul, situated in the village of Cromdale, one of the crossing points of the River Spey, the distillery stands on historic soil. Today Inver House has not yet produced a single malt...
The North Coast 500, a iconic touring route, 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
The route is also known as the NC500 was created in 2015 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence
It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’, just over 500 miles the route naturally follows the main roads across the coastal edges of the Highlands taking in the villages and towns, this must be one of the best road trips in Britain through amazing scenery, windy roads some straight and long with the wind blowing across heather clad moors, sweeping corners around some of the highest mountains in Britain, isolated beaches with the sea swelling all around, Lochs, Wildlife & Nature, high craggy cliffs, thick forest, wide open farmland, stunning beauty with a darker mysterious secrets from a bloody and turbulent time, to the Scottish weather that can change at every turn along the way making this route, one of the few remaining wild places you can drive, for all types of riders.
Only drive the more challenging routes if you are a confident rider, if you are a nervous driver, these roads are not for you, the locals know the roads, especially the single lane roads, so they drive fast and confidently, and will expect you to pull into the passing places as they approach or pull over and let them pass if they are behind you, remember we are no on holiday.
There are many highlights en route Applecross with the scenery changing at every corner, the drive through Assynt are especially memorable, linking many features in the north Highlands of Scotland, look out for places such as Ullapool, Durness, John O’Groats, Dornoch, Inverness, wick, thurso Betty Hill,Torridon and Ullapool, History, Heritage and Archaeology, Rogie falls, Smoo cave, Stunning views and scenery, the scenery changing at every turn, beautiful beaches, Dunrobin Castle, Whaligoe Steps,Castle Sinclair,the Duncansby Stacks, Durness, Balnakiel beach, Cocoa Mountain chocolate shop,Torridon, Diabaig, Bealach na Ba,Sandwood Bay, Kylesku, Oldshoremore, this trip will not disappoint.
the Best time to travel if you’re on a tight budget, aim for April to May and September to October. There is less competition for accommodation so prices are more affordable. It's also easier to get parking, November when so much is shut. A lot of accommodation close their doors as do pubs and food outlets. So plan not only your night stays but also your food stops, we literally drove a whole day and nothing was open for food. Pack snacks and water in your car. Even places who advertised they were open...weren't.
The most expensive time to travel this route is June to August, if you’re looking to travel during this time, book accommodation about 6-12 months in advance, if not you might have to consider camping, especially, if the only properties available are £300+ per night or everything is 'sold out,
plan the best experience possible. With 500 miles of rugged Scottish coastline to navigate and explore, it pays to make sure you have the best itinerary.
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Short walk through Drumnadrochit from the car park to the Nessie Monster Exhibition.
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Short walk around Corrimony village
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Port of Ness Short walk
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Lazy lock down ride from The Steading Highland Glen Lodge to Corrimony Chambered Cairn on a nice sunny warm day.
Corrimony chambered cairn, only a short ride from The Steading, is a great example of a Clava Cairn passage tomb. Parts of the Cairn have been restored, it is in many ways more complete than the more famous examples at Balnuaran of Clava.
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Ben Nevis Latitude: 56.7969° N Longitude: 5.0036° W
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Ben nevis is close to the end of the West Highland Way at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. The summit, at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level
The Nevis Range is one of the premier visitor attractions within the Highlands, offering visitors a truly unique experience no matter what time of the year you visit, Situated in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the gondola ride has a truly stunning backdrop with some of the most spectacular views that you will witness throughout the Highlands!! boasting the longest and most challenging ski runs in the UK there is enough terrain to keep all standards of skier happy.
There are two ski centres – both very different in character, though small by European comparisons, they offer skiing for all standards from beginner to expert. Scotland is a great place to learn to ski and both centres have facilities for complete beginners or those who just want to brush up on their skills You can hire skis or a board and take lessons with our friendly English-speaking instructors.
The Nevis Range is the newest ski resort in Scotland, with a wide range of slopes for all abilities and the expanse of the Back Corries, it’s truly a modern resort by contrast, Glencoe is the oldest ski area in Scotland, but it boasts some really good varied terrain, both resorts offer snowboard hire but be early on weekends to avoid queues.
If it's your first time on a snowboard or you need a refresher course you'll be in safe hands, instructors are all professional BASI trained. BASP-trained teams of patrollers are always on hand with free medical attention at both resorts.
Conditions in the Scottish mountains can vary considerably - and the wind chill can make 0c feel like – 8c so always be prepared and consider your layering and outerwear carefully.
Though we're not that high up, the ski centres and the surrounding mountains have proper ‘winter weather’, so, conditions aren’t always predictable and you have to be prepared for anything.
The downside of this unpredictable weather is that you sometimes can’t ski for a day or two. The upside is that we usually get snow well into April. You can find real winter skiing conditions here when it is spring everywhere else, other activites you can also enjoy, walking, horse riding, ski-mountaineering equipment lets you travel up hills, along flat plateaux and down the steepest slopes, to climb up hills, the heel binding is released to allow the boot to hinge at the toe, then gripping skins are stuck to the bases of the skis to provide traction, once you master the knack of a rhythmical gliding walk, uphill travel becomes relatively easy, before you know it, you’re at the summit! Then remove the skins and fix the heels down – this turns your skis into modern Alpine downhill skis ready for the thrill of the descent!
Snow regularly covers the hills down to very low altitudes in Lochaber but often with little warning! If there is a good cover down to the road you can traverse whole ranges of hills without ever taking your skis off.
There are some very high access points that makes it easy to reach the snowline, if snow is restricted to the tops the two local ski areas, Glencoe and Nevis Range, give easy access to the summits Scottish winter climbing is a unique combination of climbing style, variable conditions, weather and spectacular scenery – all within reach of a warm hotel in town! Snow and ice climbing is very demanding on your skill, stamina and equipment. But the rewards are high.
Scottish winter climbing is pure adventure! From classic gullies, snowed-up rock climbs to water-ice and thin face snow-ice climbs or a mixed climb, Steep snow slopes lead up to all winter climbs, these require good judgement of the avalanche risk. Snow conditions are reported daily through the Scottish Avalanche Information Service but it’s essential to constantly monitor the weather and stability of the snow, you need to navigate precisely to descend safely after your climb.
The sometimes harsh and very changeable winter weather can easily catch out even the most experienced climbers – but it is also what makes our unique climbing conditions! At the start of the winter, with a covering of snow and a good freeze, mixed climbs in Glencoe and the Grey Corries are the best options. as the freeze continues, watercourses and low-level streams freeze up – creating great water-ice climbs.
The January storms bring frequent thaw-and-freeze cycles that leave snow in the gullies and on the faces, transforming them into perfect snow-ice climbs.
February could be the most reliable month to ensure a good cover of snow and ice and a good range of possible climbs. Late in the season, after all the lower hills have thawed out, Ben Nevis comes into its own. Its unique thin-face-ice climbs are known around the world as some the best climbs anywhere!
BEN NEVIS, (Gaelic for ‘Mountain of Heaven’) It is 4,406 ft high, and is the highest mountain in the British Isles, set at the base in Fort William, the nearest town, on the southern edge of the Great Glen Offering Bed and Breakfast accommodation making Fort William a good starting point to explore.
From one side Ben Nevis slopes gently to near sea level, Even on this fairly easy route the climber is strongly advised not to make the ascent in winter and or in bad conditions, as the conditions can become uncertain from the sea with its warm gulf stream being in line with the summit of the mountain.
There are two Munros listed in the Munros Table both of which are called Càrn Dearg ("red hill").
The higher of these, at 4,006ft, is situated to the northwest.
The other Càrn Dearg 1,020m it juts out into Glen Nevis on the mountain's south western side.
A lower hill, Meall an t-Suidhe 2,333ft, is located further west, forming a saddle with Ben Nevis which contains a small loch Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe,a popular tourist path from Glen Nevis skirts the side of this hill before ascending Ben Nevis' broad western flank. There is a bridle track from Achintee in Glen Nevis, this route up and down and can take up to eight hours.
The summit, which is the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano features the ruins of a Observatory it was established on the summit in October 1883. but was abandoned in 1904. The meteorological data collected during this period are still important for understanding Scottish mountain weather today.
To the north east face of Ben Nevis is the most extensive cliff in UK The upper section is rough and very stony; it is often snow covered and lose the line of the path easily leading onto dangerous terrain - navigational skills are needed. as with any mountain walk.
Any ascent when snow is lying on the path requires winter equipment and skills always prepare, research and communicate with the appropriate agencies before any activities especially when attempting any mountain, hill or Munro climbing it could save your life and that of others.
From Abriachan the route starts uphill on a broad but roughly surfaced track (much of the Way is on such tracks so boots are advised). But the last section of the walk is downhill on better paths, to reach the shore of Loch Ness a mile before Drumnadrochit. Unfortunately the last mile is on the pavement bordering the A82(T).
On the A82(T) turn off at grid ref 573350 to climb to Abriachan (a steep and twisty road). Passing Loch Laide on your left, take the first turn-off on your left (542356). The car park is 200m along this forestry road, on your left (this is also the car park for Walk 1531).
At the other end of the walk, park at the Information Centre in Drumnadrochit grid ref (508300).
There is also a bus service between Inverness and Drumnadrochit; but not to Abriachan.
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In 173 I General Wade began building the road; it was no easy task. Some 500 men were employed on the project, the road runs for 22 miles and was completed in about six months, a feat that would be impressive even today with sophisticated earth-moving machinery.
In a later century it was used extensively by drovers, herding large numbers of cattle to the trysts or markets at Falkirk and Crief.
This famous section of the military road from Dalwhinnie to Fort Augustus opened up the Highlands after the failure of the Jacobite Rising of 1715, many Highlanders of the time did not like the roads, they seemed to take away their privacy and render them more vulnerable to the English authorities
The summit of the pass rises to 2,507 ft, and on the east of the approach had seventeen traverses, each was buttressed on the outside by a stone wall 10 ft to 15 ft high and flanked on the inside by a drain, It was first put to use in any major way when Prince Charles Edward Stuart led his army through it, crossing from west to east after raising his standard in August 1745.
The pass-road remained in general use for about 100 years, but Highland cattle-drovers, who had used the pass long before Wade, continued to drive their beasts through it until the end of the 19th cent.
Today the old military road no longer in use, but can be accessed to walk the distance involved is some 14 miles with a climb of nearly 500m to the highest point at 770m,.
The Corrieyairack has everything, from the gentle meanderings of the upper River Spey, through the pass itself amid high rolling moorland, and down by the side of Glen Tarff to the A82 near Fort Augustus.
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This is in Kinloch forest, following Forestry Commission waymarked trails out to Leitir Fura, an abandoned farming township on the coast. The trail starts from Kinloch forest car park, just north of Isleornsay (Eilean Iarmain)
There are information boards about the human and natural history of the area at various stages along the trail, but it is really the scenery that is the star here. Follow the signs out of the car park and onto the forest road, which undulates gently up and down along the side of the loch.
After a couple of kilometres you’ll see a large sign pointing left off the main forest track for the Drovers Road and an information sign just past it. It is the line of this old droving path that you’ll be following to Leitir Fura, and the path starts to steadily climb, contouring around the base of Beinn Bhreac above.
After another kilometre of gentle climbing, passing several handsomely placed benches, there is a signpost indicating a shortcut which takes you back down to the forest road to give a loop of around 5km.
The path starts to descend with some sharp corners and, bursting with wintry zeal, I took these at full tilt to arrive suddenly at the ruins of Leitir Fura. Unlike many townships on Skye, this settlement wasn’t forcibly cleared, but became abandoned as the inhabitants moved away for easier lives away from the harsh subsistence living endured in this rocky, exposed spot. This fact doesn’t make the ruined remains any less interesting.
The drovers’ path that Leitir Fura sits on continues around the coast to Kylerhea, much rougher and unmarked, but it looked like it would be worth further exploration.
Continue down the path and turn right to rejoin the main forest road. Below you on the shoreline are the remains of several slips from which the inhabitants launched boats to fish and, so tales tell, to intercept boats in the sound carrying rum and whisky.
The track contours round the hill, back towards the car park, and towards the sheltered bay of Isle ornsay. The grounds and buildings of Kinloch Lodge are mainly hidden below but you can catch glimpses between the trees of whitewashed houses and the manicured gardens of the hotel below.
Mealfuarvonie Inverness-Shire listed as a Graham and a Marilyn, This mountain is situated on the west shore of Loch Ness 11 miles north east of Fort Augustus and with a height of only 2,284 ft, but stands alone and is conspicuous from many points.
It was used as a navigation guide by ships in the Moray Firth From its summit there are extensive views of Glen More Albin and north to Ross and Cromarty.
Geal Charn is the western most of the Monadh Liath and so far from the other three Munros that it is usually ascended on its own. Its eastern corrie is attractive, it is the nearest of the Monadhliath summits to Aviemore, it offers a straightforward ascent in good conditions with superb views across Strathspey.
Gael Charn and A'Mharconaich are the two most northerly Munros on the west side of the road, and lie between the A9 itself and the long arm of Loch Ericht, stretching back into the wilds of the Ben Alder Forest.
The walk starts at the car park at a height of 425m, just off the access road to Balsporran Cottages, then crossing the railway line you follow the obvious track that leads up to the bealach, Gael Charn's stony summit has a fine viewpoint, especially into the interior, away from the A9.
The onward path leads generally south west then south to the bealach reached by your starting track: and then you make your way up the flank of A'Mharconaich.
When you reach the summit of A'Mharconaich the path then steeply but easily follows downhill, along the north east ridge, this can get pretty boggy at certain times of the year, when you reach the ridge itself, it branches off to the main track and takes a fairly direct route up to and along the east ridge of Gael Charn, while this provides a viable route up, a reasonably defined path then takes you backdown to Balsporran Cottages and to the car park.
The Great Glen Way is a long distance path in Scotland. It follows the Great Glen, running from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east, covering 79 miles.
It was opened in 2002 and is one of Scotland's four Long Distance Routes.
Beginning at the Old Fort in Fort William the Great Glen Way skirts the shores of Loch Linnhe to Carpach and the Caledionian CanalThe eight locks of Neptune's Staircase takes the canal to 19.2m above sea level. The route passes various canal features until Loch Lochy with forest tracks taking you along the western shore before re-joining the canal at Laggan Lockshere you will find munros on your route.
Great Glen Way on forest tracks near Loch Laggan
From Laggan Locks the route follows the towpath through Laggan Avenue to the Laggan Swing Bridge. Crossing the A82 it then runs along the eastern shores of Loch Oich, It joins to the canal towpath at Aberchalde to Fort Augustus.
At this point there is an alternative route known as the "Invergarry Link" runs along the western side of Loch Oich, providing access to accommodation and shops
the route climbs away from the canal and up into the forest above Loch Ness.
There are views from the high level forest track which eventually drops into and out by a steep climb. High level forest track leads into the hamlet of Grotaig then alongside the road until a path heads down through Clunebeg Wood to the banks of the River Coiltie and Borlum Bridge.
Then through the village of Drumnadrochit at this point a have a very comfortable stay at the steading Highland Glen Lodge Bed and Breakfast before the last leg of your journey carry on from Drumnadrochit up the steep hill to Abriachan, from here the Great Glen Way follows a forest track giving good views of Loch Ness on the way to Inverness capital of the Highlands with good travel links all over Scotland.
Leaving the road at Blackfold the waymarking indicates forest track at Craig Leach Forest which emerges at a reservoir, the route then runs downhill through the suburbs of Inverness, to the city centre, finishing at Inverness Castle.
Loch Fleodach Coire Latitude: 58.177659 Longitude: -4.936415
This walk demands a good level of fitness not recommended for the novice.
Ben Starav is the magnificent hulk of a mountain on the south side of Loch Etive.
It is a fantastic viewpoint and gives an excellent traverse in combination with Glas Bheinn Mhor, with steep and rocky mountains giving tough walking and very simple scrambling conditions, in certain weather conditions this is a very hard day out, ice axe, crampons and winter kit will be required.
It can take about 7 to 9 hours depending on your ability with a 10 mile Ascent: (1410m)
This route takes you right through the heart of Letterewe and Fisherfield and through some grand mountain scenery.
This is probably Scotland's greatest wilderness. Although primarily on good paths and not crossing any mountain summits, it is a long route through a remote area and without any escape routes so it should not be undertaken unless you have the relevant skills.
The ability to navigate is particularly important as, although a description is given here, there are places where the path is not easy to follow, particularly in mist.
Just after the Dundonnell Hotel, there is a little car park. This is the the place to stop if you wish to walk up towards the hills of An Teallach.
An Teallach is a strong contender for the title of Britain's best mountain. As with Liathach, the mountain is composed of sandstone, and different weathering rates produces a ridge of pinnacles that mountaineers love.
An Teallach has two Munros, and is also situated near the coast which enhances the views on clear days.
This, however, also means that the mountain takes the full force of Atlantic storms. Despite the coastal location, the mountain rises to nearly 3500ft and, this far north, snow can fall at any time of the year.
It is worth stopping here just to see the tiny loch of 'Toll an Lochain', which is about 2000 feet above sea level and situated underneath the great cliffs of Sgurr Fiona.
A word of warning though! The inexperienced should be careful though as there have been fatalities on the mountain, particularly in descents.
Many climbers just visit Bidean a Ghlas Thuill (the summit) and Sgurr Fiona, and thus miss out the harder parts of the mountain.
The Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team cover this area, and in an emergency, they can be called out through the police. Use the normal emergency numbers, 999 or 112, rather than calling the team directly though.
The road now enters Strath Beag and follows the Dundonnell River inland.
After passing Dundonnell House, the road starts to climb again. It first passes through a stretch of heavily wooded land, but after passing another waterfall, the road runs through the rocky Dundonnell Gorge. Still climbing, the scenery opens out on your left hand side, while remaining thickly wooded on your right. Passing waterfalls every mile or so, the road is of a surprisingly good quality on this section despite all the bends.
As the road crosses the 1110-foot Fain Summit, there are more great views of the surrounding hills. Drifting downhill towards Braemore, the scenery is the usual mix of moorland and scrubby woods. This spectacular mile-long gorge is 200 feet deep, and is one of the finest examples in Britain of a box canyon. The river which carved this channel through hard rock plunges 150 feet over the Falls of Measach.
There is suspension bridge, a little way downstream from the falls, was built by John Fowler (1817-98), who also designed the Forth Bridge.
Further downstream, a viewing platform provides an excellent viewpoint looking up towards the waterfall.
To the west, there are fine views across the Inner Sound towards the Trotternish Range in northern Skye, and one can see the hills and mountains in every other direction.
After running along the edge of Loch Tollie, there are some more small wooded portions of the road, as well as moorland.
As the road heads towards Poolewe, it runs alongside the River Ewe for the last mile before the village off Poolewe.
Short walk through Cannich
Glenmore Forest a place to walk located near Aviemore, Glenmore Forest has some of the best preserved areas of ancient Caledonian forestry in the country, much of the area’s former woodland was felled but Glenmore retains many pristine pine, juniper and birch trees from the old forests. Enjoy the solitude and quiet as you roam among these proud trees there are rounded mountains, and lochs with sandy beaches, there are wild flowers and birds that thrive among the trees much of the forest park is a National Nature Reserve.
The easiest route is the beach trail from Loch Morlich Beach it is accessible to all, including wheelchair users, for a longer outing there is the Loch Morlich trail which goes right round the loch.
There are some tree roots and stones along the way, but no hills to climb. For a real taste of Glenmore’s mix of forest and hillside, take the Ryvoan trail from the Glenmore Visitor Centre or the Ryvoan car park, there is a lower section on broad, firm forest road ideal for cycling or push chairs the upper section dips and dives across the hillside, the walks are different in length and ability you can do part of the walk or do a circuit to experience this glen and the wild life, here from the birds like Scottish crossbill and crested tit, and offeringa range of different habitats, like wet boggy places among the trees that are perfect for dragonflies and damselflies for you to see.
If you are looking for more of a challenge then head to the open hills that surround the glen at the head for Allt Mor follow the burn to the Coire Cas car park at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountain funicular railway, you can take a train ride up and down the mountain and then walk back down the burn. For the more enthusiastic of you, hike up Meall a’ Bhuchaille the hill of the shepherd straight from Glenmore Visitor Centre. The path doesn’t stop climbing all the way to the top at 2600 ft. offering superb views.
Short walk around Inverness crossing the river Ness.
Short walk through Glenurquhart
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