The Highlands and Western Isles
When most people think of Scotland it is the Highlands and Western Isles they see in their mind's eye. Indeed driving north through the jaw-dropping beauty of GLENCOE and the KYLE OF LOCHALSH you have to keep reminding yourself that it isn't a movie set!
Across the water lie the WESTERN ISLES. Part of the OUTER HEBRIDES, this beautiful, unspoilt chain of islands is made up of HARRIS (whose east coast is a dramatic moonscape of volcanic rock, while the west coast is made up of miles of golden sands), LEWIS (whose capital Stornoway is the largest town in the Western Isles), and the smaller islands of North and South UIST, BARRA and ST KILDA.
Closer to the mainland are the islands of the Inner Hebrides. The largest of this archipelago is SKYE, which has long been one of Scotland's most popular island destinations; a situation which has only increased in recent years since the island was connected to the mainland by bridge.
Further south the Inner Hebrides continue, with the larger islands of MULL, ISLAY and JURA surrounded by dozens of smaller islands.
Mull is home to Iona Abbey and cemetery, where many of Scotland's early Kings are buried. Islay is famous for its whisky, with no fewer than eight distilleries on the island, and Jura, apart from being home to thousands of deer, is the place where George Orwell retreated (to Barnhill) to write his masterpiece, 1984. You can still visit the house today.
All the islands of the Inner Hebrides have something different to offer, as well as certain things in common: beautiful scenery, fabulous beaches and world-class local produce.
Back on the mainland, from FORT WILLIAM to INVERNESS and LOCH NESS, into the NORTHERN HIGHLANDS, or the skiing Mecca of AVIEMORE, there are a bewildering array of activities on offer – water sports, mountain biking, golf, fishing, pony-trekking, dolphin-spotting – but there is one more prized than any: walking. The best way to enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the world. And it's free!
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December 2006
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December 2004
Taking the air on Islay A look at RESPIRE, the European Commission's project aimed at demonstrating how five islands across Europe, amongst them Islay, can become self-sufficient in renewable energy.
May 2004
Scentsational Scotland An introduction to some of Scotland's most successful fragrances.
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