West Horizon

The Highlands and Islands serve up dramatic scenery by the bucketload, with miles of spectacular coastline, pristine sandy beaches, turquoise sea lochs and a scattering of pretty coastal villages. A good place to start your exploring is rock-strewn Balchladich Bay (10 minutes’ walk) or pack a picnic and eat it on sandy Achmelvich (25 minutes’ drive) or Clashnessie (five minutes) beaches. If it’s wildlife you’re after, you won’t be disappointed either. The North West Highlands are a haven for deer and birds of prey – spot them (possibly) on hikes to the Old Man of Stoer sea stack (90 minutes’ walk). You may be lucky enough to spot whales, dolphins and seals on boat trips from Lochinver (25 minutes’ drive), or hike the coastal path to Stoer Lighthouse (an hour’s walk) and hang out there with the ever-hopeful whale watchers. Alternatively, see Highlands history made in stone at the circular ruins of Ardvreck Castle (35 minutes) on the shores of Loch Assynt, and wind up your day at a 1950s folly, the concrete-built Hermit’s Castle (25 minutes), with barely enough room inside for a sleeping bag.