Wester Ross, Skye & Lochalsh - Lochs, Mountains and not a soul for miles around

Dramatic, daring and different – never has an area had so much WOW factor in one place!

The area of Wester Ross is possibly one of the most populated by Red Deer in the Scottish Highlands, although please don’t hold us to that – we’ve not counted them! You can often see them early morning or dusk, by the roadside. Particularly in bad weather when they come down from the hills.

With all the mountain ranges and hills to be explored in this region, it is highly likely you will also come across some on your jaunts! And jaunt you can! From the Torridon range to the Five Sister of Kintail, the Cuillins to magical Quiraing on Skye, there is no end to the magnificent mountains to be scaled and conquered. Dramatic? You bet – be sure to take a camera and check out our Walking section for some advice on staying safe.

Situated just outside Ullapool, and if you don’t mind heights, is the 60m deep Corrieshalloch Gorge, a popular place for a photo opportunity! The area also has gardens and old Scots Pines and generally more shrubbery and trees than its neighbouring area of Sutherland.

The Bealach Na Ba, popular with endurance cyclists, leads you down to the picture perfect Applecross, where you can sample fine seafood and local ale, not to mention the outstanding views to Raasay and Skye. Once you’ve sampled the local fayre, why not visit the unusual ‘coral’ beach, Ard Ban.

According to ancient mythology, the name “Skye” came from “Scáthach”, a legendary female Scottish Warrior. The story is as magical as it is fascinating and also leads to how the “Cuillins” were named.

With famous mountain ranges, serious walkers will relish the challenge these imposing landscapes offer. The Cuillins have two very distinctive shapes. The Red Cuillins are made of red granite and as such weather to create a more rounded skyline, whilst the Black Cuillins are far more jagged, due to being made of volcanic rock.

For photographers, there is no end of inspiration from the Old Man of Storr, mountains, fairy pools and wildlife to the world famous Eilean Donan Castle.

Wildlife enthusiasts will have no end of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of what the water around the Island hosts. There are many boat trips offering sighting of dolphins, seals and even whales! And who could fail to be captivated by the otters which are to be seen swimming by the coastline – you just have to patient!

The Isle of Raasay is steeped in history. Castles dating back to the 15th century, iron mines, brochs and tales of the plague and more modern history of Raasay House and its mermaids and Calums Road. Not forgetting a type of vole, found nowhere else in the world!

Back on the mainland, you may remember the television series, Hamish Macbeth. This was filmed primarily in Plockton which is a very popular destination for tourists. Due to its mild climate, you can see palm type trees growing around the seafront, giving it an unusual look for a Highland village.