Some landscapes tell tales of terrible battles, others feel like they’re home to giants and fairies, whereas many are so stunningly beautiful, they'll stop you in your tracks. From vast barren moorland to dense forests, and deep black lochs to the shimmering ocean, you don’t need to look far to find beauty in the Highlands of Scotland. This route travels through some of the best and most beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer.
It starts by crossing the Moray Firth and Cromarty Firth on bridges that allow you great views of the sheltered bays. Then the landscape changes to forest and moorland. The Falls of Shin Visitor Centre is a great place to stop for a coffee and is famous for being one of the best places in Scotland to view salmon leaping upstream.
Don't ride past Loch Shin without taking a photo of The Wee Hoose! The Wee Hoose (Broon's House) was built by a local poacher, Jock Broon, in 1824 on a tiny island in Loch Shin which was given to him by the local laird in return for being taught how to distill whisky.
The road narrows to single track in places as you pass more lochs on the way to the North Sea coast. I have suggested another coffee stop and maybe lunch at The Anchorage Cafe at Scourie. Situated next to the sea, the views will probably entice you to have a second cup! There is fuel available here too.
You will now travel around the west coast passing more inky black inland lochs and the breathtakingly beautiful coastline.
The Kylesku Bridge and Drumbeg Viewpoint are just 2 of the hundreds of photo opportunities that you will have along the way. Kylesku Bridge must be one of the most beautiful examples of the bridge-builder's art anywhere in the world. It may only be 276 m long, and may only cross a 130 m width of water, but it is transformed into something very special by its wonderfully curved design, coupled with the stunning scenery.
Just after the bridge is Glencoul which is nothing short of breath-taking. A two-pronged, glacier-carved fjord which wouldn’t look out of place in Norway is split by one of the most photographed hills in British geology. Across Loch Glencoul you can see different rock layers in the hillside that tilt downward to the right. It is here that you can see the landscape-scale results of continental collisions that drove mountain-sized slabs of rock westwards.
Drumbeg Viewpoint gives great views out across the island covered bay where a shipwreck from 1650 complete with canons was recently discovered.
The views across Loch Bad a' Ghaill with mountain peaks as a backdrop are again breathtaking, make sure your camera is fully charged and you have spare memory cards for you are sure to be taking a lot of pictures on this route.
The ferry port town of Ullapool is where this ends, I have suggested a hotel to use but there are many other options to choose from.
You might even consider taking the ferry to Isle of Lewis to explore The Western Isles. Links for hotel, ferry and the next route in this collection can be seen below.
Enjoy