Places of interest & days out in Scotland
BEN NEVIS:
Britain's highest mountain is situated on the outskirts of Fort William in an area known as the Outdoor Capital of the U K. It is a centre for skiing, snow boarding, ice climbing, mountaineering, white water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking and diving.
LOCH NESS:
Try viewing the Loch Ness Monster from a boat on the loch or from the 13th Century Urquhart Castle overlooking the loch. There are also 2 visitor centres at Drumnadrochit. The loch is one of a series of lochs forming the Caledonian Canal which runs through the Great Glen on the fault line between Inverness and Fort William.
SKYE:
The romantic Isle of Skye now has access via a toll-free bridge as well as the ferry from Mallaig. The scenic Cuillin Hills and the spectacular rock formations at Storr are well worth a visit. The Talisker Whisky Distillery will also be of interest to many visitors. On the mainland nearby is Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. This area is renowned for its wealth of traditional Gaelic music.
GLENFINNAN VIADUCT:
Harry Potter fans are in for a treat if they take the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig. The route follows the Road to the Isles crossing the famous viaduct, passing the beautiful silver sands of Morar and giving views of the Caledonian Canal on the way.
BALMORAL CASTLE:
Visit the castle the Royal Family use for their summer holiday, but remember it is not open August-October when they are in residence. The Braemar Highland Games take place at the beginning of September and at this gathering visitors will see caber tossing, Highland dancing and plenty of men in kilts!
GOLF:
There are numerous golf courses for beginners and experts alike throughout Scotland. Many areas have special passes which allow access to several courses within the week. One of the best areas for this is the Kingdom of Fife which includes St Andrews, the home of golf. Whilst there, a trip across the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh is a must for all tourists. Among the many attractions in Edinburgh are Edinburgh Castle, the Rosslyn Chapel, the new Scottish Parliament building and the Royal Mile which leads from the castle to Holyrood House at the foot of Arthur's Seat.
DEER:
Deer can be viewed all over Scotland, but are more likely to be seen in the winter months — often grazing in the gardens of our properties. It is possible to go stalking with a camera to get your classic 'Monarch of the Glen' shot. If you want to see them in captivity there are several Deer farms welcoming visitors.
WILDLIFE:
Eagles, sea eagles, ospreys, capercaille, red kite, puffins and many other species can be viewed in Scotland. Seals, dolphins, porpoises and whales are all to be seen around our Scottish coastline. Salmon can be caught in many of our rivers, but you may prefer to view them in the Autumn leaping up waterfalls to their spawning ground.