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A string of islands connected by causeways, with huge expanses of beaches on the west and rocky mountains on the east. Aside from the scenery, this is also a wonderful trout fishing area.

Well worth a visit to understand the effect of the 19th-century Clearances, which even today is visible throughout the north.

Well-established on the surfers’ circuit, this flat island not only boasts some of the finest Atlantic rollers on its beaches but it also claims the highest number of sunshine hours in Britain.

A romantic chateau, this is Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited house (900 years) and a former pleasure ground for kings.

Delightful grid-plan village with Gaelic street names, boat trips, ferries to the Western Isles, a museum and the dream-world Assynt Mountains. Visit Corrieshalloch Gorge en route.

Voted “European Industrial Museum of the Year”, this is an invigorating presentation of the jute industry, the material upon which Dundee founded its urban economy.

It’s only a short walk, about a mile (2 km), between these two captivating villages (see Moray Coast Villages), but don’t let that deceive you. A few Tarzan-ish qualities are required, for in places your only links to Mother Earth are chains bolted to the rock and toe-holds. Given these restrictions, it requires great care but is not hard. A mini-adventure amid rocks and grassy cliffs, ending in the secret world of Crovie.

A combined walk and boat trip through sublime scenery. From Morar’s silver sands, follow Britain’s shortest river (half a mile) to the loch. Tarred at first, the way turns into an undulating track beside the water. It then wends to its destination at the lovely bay of Tarbet. Arrive by 3:30pm to catch the ferry back to Mallaig.

Experience the past on the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer.

Pretty market town that has become Scotland’s “book town”, full of all sorts of literary specialities and events.