Acharacle - Situated on the remote north west coast of Scotland, Acharacle. Castle Tioram is a key 14th century attraction just offshore, reachable in most seasons. The peak of the 2774ft Ben Resipol offers breathtaking views of the area. The islands of Eigg and Rum can also be seen from nearby locations.

Achnasheen - Western Ross, to east of Torridon. A wild and lonely district of straths, bens, and lochs where Gaelic is mainly spoken. A good centre for Loch Maree, Ullapool and Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve at Kinlochewe.

Arisaig - Just south of the port of Mallaig whence the steamers sail for the Hebrides. The landing place of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 and from here he left in 1746. One of the locations used in the film 'Local Hero'.

Aviemore - Lying in the heart of the Spey Valley, Aviemore began its transformation into a holiday resort in the 1960's with the construction of a multi-million pound complex. The area now offers various watersports, skiing, fishing, climbing and walking all nearby. The Aviemore to Boat of Garten steam railway has now reopened as a tourist attraction.

Ballachulish - A village at the mouth of Loch Leven and the foot of Glencoe where slate used to be quarried. The country here is associated with R L. Stevenson Kidnapped, and the massacre of Glencoe.

Boat of Garten - An intriguing town name so called after the ferryboat used to cross the river before a bridge was built in 1898. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have an observation site 2 miles east of Loch Garten initially set up to view the ospreys which returned in 1958. Boat of Garten also has a steam railway station operating between the town and Aviemore.

Brora - Good centre for golf and fishing on the coast north of Dornoch. The last wolf in Scotland was shot here. Superb moutain scenery. There is a distillery here, Clynelish, which offers tours. Nearby is Dunrobin Castle with Versaille style gardens.

Carrbridge - A Highland resort and winter sports centre to the west of Grantown-on-Spey. It has a Landmark Visitor Centre, a sculpture trail and an adventure park. Nearby at Aviemore is the Strathspey steam railway.

Cromarty - The birthplace of Hugh Miller, folklorist and geologist. Situated in a fertile peninsula known as The Black Isle, because snow does not lie for any length of time here. Famous for a fine breed of sheep.

Dingwall - Important farming town at the entrance of the valley of Strathpeffer and southern end of Cromaraty Firth. Interesting old Courthouse used as the Town Hall. The 1st Earl of Cromarty chose an obelisk to stand over his vault, as his wife had vowed to dance upon his grave. From the tower of the Hector Macdonald National Memorial a fine view of the Black Isle may be obtained.

Dornoch - An attractive county town overlooking the Dornoch Firth. The 13th century Cathedral, after lying in ruins for 250 years, was rebuilt as the parish church in I836. The last execution for witchcraft in Scotland took place here in 1722. Famous golf links, first used in the 17th century. Excellent sea-bathing.

Dunbeath - Situated on the coast road that leads to John O'Groats. The 15th century Dunbeath Castle still retains its keep, with the building being enlarged in the 19th century. The harbour which still stands today is a reminder of Dunbeath's past as an important herring-fishing port.

Fort Augustus - A pleasant village at the south end of Loch Ness with six lochs carrying the Caledonian Canal. General Wade built the Fort for his troops while constructing the road through the Great Glen. Since 1876 it has been a Benedictine Monastery, now a school. The starting point for the Corrieyarick Pass over which Prince Charlie led his Highlanders in 1745.

Fort William - Fort William is one of the highlands most popular tourist centers and understandably so, for here residents and visitors alike can enjoy the picturesque sights of Ben Nevis the highest mountain in the UK and the many lochs that are scattered across its land. The town lies at the foot of Ben Nevis’ 4,406 ft summit and derives its name from the original fort that was built here by William of Orange in 1655 to subdue the Jaconbite Highlanders, and remained a garrison fort until 1855.

Glen Nevis is a beautiful stretch of greenery, surrounded by mountains, formed by the northern flank of Ben Nevis, from which the River Nevis flows down from to the sea. The Lower and Steall Falls are an impressive sight for walkers who come to enjoy the scenes where the movie Braveheart was set.

As well as a variety of outdoor activities there are a number of alternative attractions, which include the Jacobite Steam Train ride, and a visit to the historic Inverlochy Castle. Those who don’t mind travelling further afield will enjoy Inverness, home of the Loch Ness Monster and site of the Culloden Moor Battlefield.

Many of the restaurants here specialise in traditional Scottish cuisine and accommodation is plentiful and varied to suit all types!

Gairloch - The spectacularly scenic village of Gairloch, meaning the short loch, is an old norse settlement, once frequented by Vikings who came here to shelter in the loch from storms. Although there are no remains of their settlements, their mark has been left by the town names in the area including Thorsdale, named after Thor, the god of thunder. Much fought over by the MacLeods and the Mackenzie clan, the town’s First Chief was Roy Mackenzie who was granted the lands of Gairlock to Hector, by King James IV in 1494. It was only when Queen Victoria made regular visits to the town and wrote several entries in her journal about its beauty that Gairloch became a well known holiday resort.

Accommodation is plentiful and there is much to see and do in the area. At the Gairloch Marine Life Centre there’s an opportinty to take a cruise and get close to Minke Whale, Herring Gulls, Grey Seals and Harbour Porpoise. Several awards have been granted to the Gairloch Heritage Museum, which tells the story of Highland life from stone and bronze age living to working on the croft or at sea. There are also great walking, watersport and bathing facilties.

Fish auctions are held here, with Salmon brought in by the morning fleet and whitefish, prawns, crabs and lobster by night.

Gairloch is within easy reach of Inverness, home of the Loch Ness Monster and the Gardens of Poolewe.

Glenfinnan - Some fourteen miles west of Fort William. At the head of Loch Shiel. A monument marks the spot where Prince Charlie unfurled his standard in 1745. This is one of the wildest, as it is one of the most romantic and beautiful places, in the Highlands. National Trust Visitors Centre recounts the history of the Campaign that led as far as Derby.

Grantown-On-Spey - North of the Cairngorn Mountains. A pleasant town on the north bank of the river, and an excellent centre for climbers as well as popular for skiing. Queen Victoria visited it in 1860, and since then it has become increasingly popular. Good fishing. Nearby is the Landmark Highland Heritage Centre at Carrbridge.

Helmsdale - A busy fishing village with the ruins of a castle associated with the poisoning of an Earl and Countess of Sutherland in the 16th century. Heritage Centre

Invergarry - Prince Charlie slept in the Castle before and after Culloden. Combined Operations Museum recalls use of Mountains for training commandos.

Invergordon - A former naval base between Nigg Bay and Cromarty Firth, and associated with the sinking of H.M.S. Natal during the 1st World War. The Castle is the seat of Macleod of Cadbol.

Kingussie - An attractive wintersports resort on the banks of the Spey, beneath the Cairngorm Mountains, set in magnificent surroundings of woods, glens and moorland. The town was a rallying-place of the Jacobites after Culloden. An excellent centre for exploring the Cairngorm, Glen Feshie, Loch Laggan and Speyside. The birthplace of Ossian Macpherson is at Ruthven, the ruins of the castle of which still stand picturesquely on a mound. Highland Folk Museum and Higland Wildlife Park.

Kinlochleven - A village at the head of Loch Leven with important aluminium works.

Kyle of Lochalsh - A port of call for ferries to the Outer Hebrides. A bridge now carries traffic across to Island of Skye.

Lairg - Inland from the Dornoch Firth. A beautifully situated village, very popular with fishermen, and other sportsmen. Major sheep fair in August. Numerous prehistoric tumuli and stone circles in the neighbourhood.

Lybster - On the rocky stretch of coastline on Lybster Bay to the south of Clyth Ness in the Highlands, is the small 19th century fishing village of Lybster, once possessing the largest harbour on the north-east coast, where views of up to 100 ships could be seen sailing in and out of the harbour every day. The houses that line the harbour were built to house evicted tenants during the inland Clearances.

Scattered around the village are a number of historic treasures including the 5000 year old Grey Cairns of Camster which if you crawl, can reach inside the megalithic chambers. Another nearby Cairn is the 24 metre long Cairn of Get. Rows of Bronze Age Stones can be discovered at the Hill O’Many Stanes to the north of the village. Not well signposted but nonetheless a rewarding find, are the 365 Whaligoe Steps, previously maintained by a local who believed that God was a fisherman and would one day visit and need to use them.

Local amenities and attractions include the town’s 9 hold golf course, Kyleburn Confectionary and Lybster Heritage Centre.

Mallaig - Once a small fishing village on the sound of Sleat, looking out on to Skye. One of the most important points of call for ferries to the Outer Hebrides. The road from here to Fort William passes the finest and wildest mountain and loch scenery in Scotland.

Muir of Ord - Cattle fairs were once a great attraction of this crofting village; Muir of Ord is now remembered for the largest cattle fair in northern Scotland during the 19th century. The towns key industries today are distilling and light engineering. 4 miles north east lies the restored 17th century Kilcoy Castle, a prime example of the Scottish baronial style.

Nairn - One hundred miles north west of Aberdeen. A beautifully situated seaside resort on the Moray Firth, fifteen miles from Inverness. Nairn is ten miles from Culloden, and the Duke of Cumberland stayed in Nairn before the battle. Owing to its dry and sunny climate, Nairn is sometimes called the Brighton of the North". The local Fishertown museum recalls the town's history and its fishing industry. The town has two golf courses of championship standard. Nairn hosts many events both Summer and Winter, most notably HighlandGameson the third Saturday of every August.

Nearby is Cawdor Castle the scene in Macbeth of King Duncan's murder.

Newtonmore - Eighteen miles west of Aviemore. A village in Strath Spey, very popular with summer visitors. Excellent fishing, golf, and climbing. Nearby is the Highland Folk Museum and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie.

Spean Bridge - A village on the road between Fort William and Loch Ness, beneath Ben Nevis with gondola lift nearby. Near the village is a large statue memorial to the commandos who had a training base during World War 11 at Achnacanny across the glen.

Strathpeffer - This pleasant Victoran health resort offered sulphur and saline wells, as well as an effervescent chalybeate spring. The climate is bracing and it is a good centre for the tourist. Lovely walks among the pine woods. A good centre for Ben Wyvis and the fine Falls of Rogie. Museum of Childhood in old raiway station.

Tain - Small town at southern entrance to Dornoch Firth. The Parish Church contains interesting windows and a monument to the first Preacher of the Reformation in Scotland. The Tolbooth in the town was the headquarters for the planning of the local highland clearances. The Clan Ross have a Museum and there is an exhibition and visitor centre ?Tain through Time' with a museum and audovisual. Near the town are the ruins of a 13th century chapel to St. Duthus, for many years a place of pilgrimage.

Thurso - On the extreme north coast. This busy market town, laid out as a planned town by the local landowners the Sinclairs, has an interesting museum containing Celtic crosses discovered in the vicinity. The ruins of St. Peter's Church are well worth a visit. Boats sail from nearby Scrabster to Stromness on the Orkney Islands. John O'Groat' is eighteen miles to the east. Nearby is Dounreay Nuclear Power Station which has an exhibition and offers guided tours.

Ullapool - In the centre of magnificent scenery on Lock Broom. Ferry to Stornoway on the Outer Hebrides. A popular summer resort, especially with fishermen. The town was planned and laid on a grid, as part of a scheme to promote Herring fishery in last 18th century. Award winning museum and visitor centre in converted historic church. Visits sometimes by Russian fishermen.

Wick - Former county town of Caithness and the greatest herring fishing port, once with a thousand boats, as well as an important whaling station. The town dates back to the Norsemen, and traces of their occupation are still to be found. A ruined castle to the south of the town known to sailors as The Old Man of Wick is one of the oldest castles in Scotland. Other castles stand on the coast nearby. Town is still busy port with a heritage centre and a museum. John O'Groats is fourteen miles to the north.