The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands
Helena Smith, James Stewart
Language: English
Pages: 448
ISBN: 1409339866
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
The Rough Guide to the Scottish Highlands & Islands is the definitive travel guide to this untamed region, with detailed, stylish maps and stunning photography to bring it all to life on the page.
From the deserted white strands of South Harris to moody Glen Coe, the Scottish Highlands and Islands are the perfect places to drop off the radar, whether you're camping wild or staying in a boutique hideaway. The Munro summits are as much of a challenge as ever and the Highlands are stuffed with myriad other opportunities for adventure, from world-class sea kayaking and mountain biking to near empty surf-breaks.
Whether you're traveling by car, bike, or public transportation the comprehensive travel advice in The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands will help you navigate your way around easily and point you in the direction of incredible animals such as puffins and whales. Up-to-date and honest reviews of all the best accommodation and home-grown, fresh eating options for all budgets will all ensure that you maximize your time in this, the most stunning part of Scotland.
Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands.
guided walks through the area (May–July, currently Mon & Tues 2–5pm; 3hr walk; �5) to explain the wonders of peat; wellies or walking boots are recommended. Strathnaver MuseumIn the old Farr church, east of the main village • April–Oct Mon–Sat 10am–5pm • �2 • 01971 521418, strathnavermuseum.org.uk The volunteer-run Strathnaver Museum houses the usual exhibits of ethnological and archeological interest – crofting items including a bizarre fishing buoy made from a dogskin, Pictish stones and a
Reidh Lighthouse Holidays 01445 771263, ruareidh.co.uk. From its spectacular northwest location, this company offers guided walks highlighting wildlife, rock-climbing courses and week-long treks into the Torridon hills. Vertical Descents 01855 821593, verticaldescents.com. Ideally located for the Glencoe and Fort William area, activities and courses include canyoning, “funyakking” (a type of rafting) and climbing. Walkabout Scotland 0845 686 1344, walkaboutscotland.com. A great way to get a
“Splash” MacKillop’s B&B, overlooking the machair and dunes, and enjoy “storytelling evenings”; bike rental also available. �70 The Lobster Pot Borve (Borgh) 01876 540288. A tearoom (and shop) on the main road, near the ferry terminal, serving toasties and soup and simple summer evening meals (all under �10). Mon–Sat 9am–8.30pm; closes 5.30pm in winter. The coastal road via Sollas (Solas) In just six miles, the A867 will take you quickly from Lochmaddy to Clachan via several Neolithic sites,
gently undulating grid-plan patchwork of rich farmland, it’s a bit like an island suburb of Kirkwall, which is clearly visible across the bay. Balfour The only village on Shapinsay is BALFOUR, named after the family who owned the local castle and the island, reformed the island’s agricultural system and rebuilt the village – previously known as Shoreside – as a neat and disciplined cottage development, to house their estate workers. The family’s grandiose efforts in estate management have left
from the heritage centre, this new, community trust-run bunkhouse has sixteen firm, pine beds in two dormitories, a self-catering kitchen and small lounge. There’s no reception as such: if there’s no one here, pop into the heritage centre, but if that’s closed just call the number on the door. Dorms �18 Oatfield House Three miles down the B842 01586 551551, oatfield.org. A beautifully renovated whitewashed laird’s house set in its own grounds on the road to Southend, retaining three rooms of