Introduction: The North West Highlands Geopark is located in the far north of the Scottish mainland. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. As well as this, Fraserburgh is known the biggest shellfish port in Europe. But to escape the crowds flocking to the Isle of Skye, head to the east and north, where far fewer visitors venture and you can actually enjoy a … Our fantastic North West Highlands Walking Tour takes in ascents of some of the most iconic mountains in this stunning part of the Northwest of Scotland including Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor. This is wild country with just a smattering of villages, sandy bays and remote islands on the horizon. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the Highlands unsurprisingly make the region among the richest in the world for fish, with important markets in places like Mallaig, Stornoway, Lerwick and Oban. The North West Highlands is an area of immense beauty and Forest Way is ideally situated as a base for touring the Inverpolly/Assynt or Torridon/Gairloch circuits. Highlands has been a mountain respite for over a century, allowing our visitors to unwind while being treated to the finest amenities. The drive now leaves the west coast behind and hits the northern shoreline. North West Highlands Art - Brynaport, IV54 8 Strathcarron, Highland, United Kingdom - Rated 5 based on 1 Review "What a fantastic place this is! North West Highlands Geopark Limited is a social enterprise and a charity which re-invests profits to ensure ongoing development of geo-tourism projects, conservation and … along this route, the North and West Highlands Route is also home to steep cliffs, emblematic lighthouses and Scottish heritage. For all those Harry Potter fans out there, the famous, Hogwarts School, depicted in the films, had a stage presence in the Scottish Highlands, overlooking stunning lochs and mountains. Dunnet Head might be as far north as you go, but John o’Groats takes the prize for the most north-westerly point. The Cairngorms National Park lies at the heart of this region, offering everything from stunning hiking routes to ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding and so much more. The Northwest Highlands are the northern third of Scotland, which is separated from the Grampian Mountains by the Great Glen. If the great outdoors is not enough to fill your boots, kick back in the area’s luxurious hotels and resorts. This also makes the region a tourism hotspot, with many tourists keen to sample the local produce. To the west, where the Firth narrows, it’s definitely very Highland: Inverness, the Great Glen, and the wet, wet west beyond. The 13,000 acres of land and gardens are yours to explore and this is a great holiday let for large groups of keen walkers and mountain bikers. If you're looking for something really special, a 5-star hotel in Northern Highlands can on average be found for £144 per night (based on Booking.com prices). To the east, are the more bare, more spare, more exposed grounds of Buchan on Scotland’s north-east knuckle where the winds blow. Sporting some the world’s most stunning scenery, the region is spoilt with wonderful walks, and has one of the oldest and most fascinating histories on earth. Your drive continues along the northern coast, zigzagging along inlets and around lochs, all stunningly scenic. Buses reach from the towns of Crianlarich and Glencoe to Fort William and beyond, while trains connect with Inverness and as far north as Wick and Duirinish. The North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark offers one of the best opportunities to explore wild places in Europe. Think vast open landscapes and lots (and lots) of water, both sea and lochs, along with lofty mountains. The village of Durness includes two must-sees: Smoo Cave, complete with a 50-feet high entrance, sinkhole and underground waterfalls, is the stuff of legend; and Balnakiel Craft Village established in the 60s and a thriving community of artists and artisans. The weather in the Moray Firth. Lovely comfortable, immaculately presented flat in central location, perfect for visiting the east and west highlands, Loch Ness and Inverness. There are three diverse districts to discover: Highlands Square, Tennyson Street and Lower Highland . Some of the oldest rocks in Europe also feature heavily (literally!) Warren Rovetch's The Creaky Traveler in the North West Highlands of Scotland: a Journey for the Mobile but Not Agile was written after Rovetch and his wife Gerda, both old enough to consider themselves "creaky", visited the most northern sliver Scotland, what the … The line of the well known verse states “speed bonny boat, over the sea to Skye”; but nowadays, there is a bridge for the main west coast route onto the island. There are 258 primary and secondary schools across the Highlands. This road trip takes in the best of wild Scotland. After Knockan Crag, the North and West Highlands Route curls west and hugs the coast. With no fewer than 47 distilleries spread across the region, the Highlands is Scotland's largest geographical whisky producing area – particularly good news if you like a dram of Scotland’s favourite drink. The Rock Stop , Unapool, Kylesku, Lairg IV27 4HW. The region is home to stunning scenery, including the legendary Loch Ness. Can recommend Corner on the Square, Lovat Arms and The Priory Hotel. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. derstanding. North West Highlands. The actual driving comes scenic all the way and along some of the quietest roads anywhere in Europe. Maybe Moray has ‘the Goldilocks Effect’. Built in 1572, it was restored to its former majestic glory by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952. Since 2008/09, more than 1,000 council houses and flats have been completed or are under development in the Highlands. Time this Scottish road trip for outside July and August and you may be the only ones on the road. Ferries and flights reach all the major islands in the Highlands, and Inverness is accessible from London by rail and air. A wet place, it rains on average 207 days a year in the North West Highlands. In this remote spot, you can walk to Duncansby Head with its iconic twin sea stacks and towering cliffs. Throw in the odd spot of kayaking, camping and skiing and it offers so much for everyone. That means Geoparks are […] That said, the route lies dotted with quaint villages and some great things to do. The well-trodden western coast of the Scottish Highlands is a common road trip destination for visitors to the United Kingdom. Take a look at the sketch map further down the page. Once visited, it will remain with you, Loyal by name, loyal by nature. Not convinced you should take a Scottish road trip? The line splits at Crianlarich, carrying you either past Loch Awe to Oban, or high up to Rannoch Moor, through remote wilderness and on to Fort William and Mallaig. North West Highlands Geopark Limited. Find out more about the outdoors and leisure on VisitScotland.com. UNESCO awards Geopark status to regions of international scientific importance to geology across the world where communities get together to promote and steward their landscapes for education, tourism and sustainable economic development. The area is sparsely populated and spectacular. Find out more about the school system in Scotland, Find out more about universities in Scotland. On average, 3-star hotels in Northern Highlands cost £76 per night, and 4-star hotels in Northern Highlands are £116 per night. White quartzite caps many mountains and the largest area of limestone in Scotland occurs in the Geopark. It's also located in one of the few temperate rainforests in North America. Separating the Highlands from the more populous central belt of Scotland, the Highland Boundary Fault runs south-west/north-east across Scotland. 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