Holiday Cottages in Aviemore And The Cairngorms

Inverness, with all the trappings of a Highland capital, by way of shopping, dining, theatre and evening entertainments, is also the gateway to the Great Glen. Three lochs, including Loch Ness, are linked by the Caledonian Canal (Excellent cruising and waterspouts opportunities, as well as cycleways, walks and trails hereabouts – including the recently opened Great Glen Way, an official long-distance footpath linking east and west coasts).

At the south end of the Great Glen lies Fort William, like Inverness a natural route centre offering everything for visitors, including its nearness to Ben Nevis and also the Nevis Range ski centre, with its year-round gondolas sweeping up for views of ‘The Ben’ and around Lochaber. (Nevis Range also has Britain’s longest downhill mountain bike track.)

Great Glen touring can also be extended by looping through Glen Spean into Speyside with its many attractions, from watching ospreys at Loch Garten to enjoying a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway, with magnificent Cairngorm views.

Peerless sea views out to the Small Isles, a softness in the air and some of the remotest tracts of land in all of the UK, are typical of the West Highlands. Ardnamurchan Point is the most westerly point in mainland Scotland and getting there is a scenic delight. Its lighthouse visitor centre is a good place to go whale-watching. Moidart to the north is Bonnie Prince Charlie country, adding further romance with the tale of the Jacobite adventurer who came ‘Over the Sea to Skye’.

No matter how you get there – by bridge or ferry – Skye, ‘the Misty Isle’ is a superb scenic experience. The view of the Black Cuillins from Eigol is one of the most spectacular images of Scotland. See the Cuillins again from Glen Brittle, with The Quiraing up in the Trotternish peninsula, and The Storr beyond Portree for more scenic spectacle. However, there are lots of other places of interest, from Dunvegan Castle to the Skye Museum of Island Life.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival | 29th Jul – 31st Jul 2021

Award Winning Belladrum Tartan Heart is quite simply, the friendliest, wackiest, most inclusive festival in Scotland! Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire.

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Urquhart Castle

Wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history – Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic.Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands.

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Family Favourites

Blackisle Wildlife Park, Inverness
Feed the animals, visit the hatchery and stay for a spot of lunch after.
Open 7 days 10-6pm, adults £5, children £2

Jacobite Steam Engine
Described as the greatest railway journey in the world and made famous in the Harry Potter films, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes and crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct.

Morning Service:
Mon to Fri 24th April to 27th Oct and weekends from 17th June to 1st October 2017.

Afternoon Service:
Mon to Fri 15th May to 15th Sept and weekends from 1st July to 3rd Sept 2017.

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Smoo Cave, Durness
A large cave set in the limestone cliffs east of Durness – More Info

Suggested Walks

Cairngorm Mountain Guided Walks – More Info

River Ness and Caledonian Canal circuit – Inverness – More Info

Inchree Falls – Onich – More Info

Traligill Caves – Inchnadamph – More Info