Highlands and Islands
The mainland of Scotland is divided into three distinct geographical areas divided by two great fault lines. In the south, the rolling hills of the Southern Uplands and in the north, the dramatic mountains and lochs of the Highlands. In between are the Central Lowlands, where most of the country's population are settled.
The Highlands and Islands occupy about one sixth of the land mass of the UK, or twice the size of Belgium, and yet have only 430,000 inhabitants. The delight of remoteness and sparse population has its charm but can also make life challenging for the tourist. Distances that appear close on a map can be long when travelling along winding roads with the constant distraction of spectacular scenery.
That said there are many reasons why the Highlands and Islands are so popular. Firstly, the variety of landscapes and seascapes is immense from the verdant pastures of Perthshire which in places, reminds one of Bavaria, to the awesome sweep of treeless heather and wetlands of the Flow Country in Caithness. There are striking contrasts between the heartland of Gaelic-speaking Scotland in the Western Isles and the Nordic-imbued Orkney and Shetland Islands. Although both have a shared Viking ancestry, their stories go much further back into pre-history with the mystical standing stones of Calanais on Lewis and the houses of Skara Brae which pre-date the Egyptian pyramids.
Then there is the distinctive Gaelic language and music, the clans and their myriad tartans which post-date their days of influence. (Most tartans are modern inventions.) The region is also immensely rich in wildlife which, to be appreciated, demands that the visitor leaves the car behind and takes to the hills where fresh air and solitude refreshes in a way no city coffee bar ever can.
Jacobite steam train
The flying car sequence in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was filmed at Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct 20 or so miles west of Fort William. The viaduct carries the Fort William to Mallaig railway across the Glenfinnan valley. It was built at the beginning of the 20th c., surprisingly of concrete, and its 21 arches cover a distance of a quarter of a mile.
Loch Ness
World famous for a monster that millions of visitors have never seen, Loch Ness holds the greatest volume of water for any lake in Great Britain. At 23 miles long and up to 754 feet deep, deeper in fact than the North Sea, it is estimated to have a capacity of 263 million cubic feet of water; plenty of space for "Nessie" to hide! Although sceptics scoff at the notion, historic records (albeit written a century after the event) show that St Columba had an encounter with the beast during his journey to visit a Pictish king in Inverness. Then as now, saints and tourist managers need a few miracles to keep going.
Highland Tour Guide
Celia Ffitch-Stewart offers a variety of options to ensure you make the most of your time in the historic and entrancing part of Scotland.
Distance from Baltersan
Only the areas near Loch Lomond and southern Perthshire are within a day trip of Baltersan Castle.
Further information: