The Scottish
Highlands contain some of Britain’s most breathtaking
scenery. Railway and road traverse 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 fishing rivers in the British Isles. Tayside,
and Speyside to the north, are Scotland’s major whisky-producing
areas, with dozens of distilleries. Also in the Highlands are the
Pass of Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, Kingussie and Aviemore,
the winter ski resort.
Inverness
The UK’s northernmost city, many of whose buildings date back
to the 17th century. Inverness is also famous for its location at
the head of Loch Ness, deep-water home of the mythical monster.
The site of the Battle of Culloden where the government forces,
including many of 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
at the mouth of Loch Linnhe is Oban, gateway to many
of the islands and the beautiful region of Kintyre. Further
north is the town of Mallaig, which, like Oban, is a rail terminus.
One of the best ways to reach Mallaig is on the Jacobite
Steam Train from Fort William, which runs through some spectacular
scenery. The so-called ‘Road to the Isles’,
which also passes through Glenfinnan and Arisaig,
a pretty resort known for its white sands, is the driving alternative.
Ullapool is still an important fishing port, and is also
the departure point for car ferries to the Outer Hebrides. North
of Ullapool, the road passes through Inverpolly Nature Reserve
into Sutherland, and the landscape becomes even wilder,
with isolated mountains rising from a rocky plateau. Fishing villages
dot the rugged coastline. Inland is one of Europe’s last
great wildernesses, an area of mountains, moorland, lochs and
rivers, rich in wildlife.
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