The Scottish
Highlands is home to some of Britain’s most breathtaking
scenery. Railway and road cross the countryside between the capital
and Inverness, passing through the Grampian Mountains and
the Forest of Atholl.
The lochs of the central highlands feed the River Tay, one
of the best places for fishing in the British Isles. Tayside,
and Speyside to the north, are Scotland’s whisky-producing
areas, with dozens of distilleries. Also in the Highlands are the
Blair Atholl, Pass of Killiecrankie, Kingussie and Aviemore,
the winter ski resort.
Inverness
This is the UK’s northernmost city, many of whose buildings
date back to the 17th century. Inverness is also known for its location
at the head of Loch Ness, deep-water home of the mythical lake monster.
The site of the Battle of Culloden where the government forces,
including the lowland clans, crushed Bonnie Prince Charlie’s
forces in 1746. For further Information contact the Tourist
Board
Fort William
One of the best-known towns on the West Coast, as well as the largest
resort. Above the town looms Britain’s highest mountain, Ben
Nevis (1343m/4406ft). Attractions in the town include the Ben
Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre. Nearby is Glencoe,
where the Campbells massacred the Macdonald clan in their sleep;
when shrouded in mist, Glencoe still has a haunting atmosphere.
The Glencoe Visitor Centre tells this story, while Celtic
myth and legend is the topic of Highland Mysteryworld close
by.
Elsewhere
On the West Coast
of Loch Linnhe is Oban, gateway to the islands and
the beautiful region of Kintyre.
One of the better ways to reach Mallaig is on the Jacobite
Steam Train from Fort William, which passes through some spectacular
scenery. The so-called ‘Road to the Isles’,
which also runs through Glenfinnan and Arisaig,
a resort known for its white sands, is the driving alternative.
Ullapool is an important fishing port, and is also the
point for car ferries to the Outer Hebrides. North of Ullapool,
the road travels through Inverpolly Nature Reserve into
Sutherland, and the landscape becomes even wilder, with
mountains rising from a rocky plateau. Fishing villages dot the
coastline. Inland is one of Europe’s great wildernesses,
an area of mountains, moorland, lochs and rivers, all rich in
wildlife. |
