Scottish Tour Guide's Blog » Highlands

Visit Ben Nevis Distillery, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:33:05 +0000

Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Ben Nevis Distillery near Fort William on the West of Scotland and as such sits in the ‘Highlands’ region for whisky classification purposes.

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Visit Fort William, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:27:16 +0000

Street Scene, Fort William, Scotland

This evening, I am posting information on Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The name is derived from a British military fort originating in the 17th and 18th centuries which was built to control the Highlands. Specifically, it is named after King William (1650-1702).

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Visit Inverlochy Castle, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:52:28 +0000

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland

Inverlochy Castle is a substantial and impressive ruin located on the south bank of the River Orchy, near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Built by the Red Comyn, John, as Lord of Lochaber to guard the southern end of the Great Glen, it was one of the earliest stone castles in Scotland and dates from around 1275. Unfortunately, the Comyns lost a power battle, fell out of favour in 1306 and lost the castle. Other important facts:

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Visit Auchindrain Township, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:23:17 +0000

Auchindrain Township, Inveraray, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the unique and preserved Scottish Highland Township of Auchindrain near Inveraray in the west of Scotland. This community illustrates a traditional way of life in the Highlands of Scotland which was maintained for about 1000 years.

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Visit Castle Urquhart, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:08:13 +0000

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, namely Castle Urquhart in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness on Loch Ness. Of course, the main reason for the huge number of visitors each year is that this is the best site from which to view Loch Ness and seek out it’s legendary monster.

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Visit Glen Nevis, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:54:46 +0000

Lower Falls, Glen Nevis, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Glen Nevis near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

To some extent this might be called a ‘hidden gem’ as the glen (valley) is accessed via a small road in a southerly direction form the centre of Fort William. Fortunately, the vast majority of tour buses and related traffic by-passes the road and hence it is possible to enjoy a quiet and peaceful drive down to the Lower Falls and beyond. The return trip takes about 1 hour and en-route it is possible that an encounter with a herd of photogenic Highland Cattle may occur.

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Visit Dornoch Cathedral, Visit Scottish Highlands

catswhiskers — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:00:39 +0000

Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on a stunning example of ecclesiastical architecture, namley Dornoch Cathedral in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands. Technically the building is no longer a Cathedral because, being part of the Presbyterian Church, there is no bishop. However, pre-Reformation (until 1560), the building was used for Roman Catholic worship and the name continues.

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Visit Mallaig, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:58:32 +0000

Harbour at Mallaig, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the colourful fishing village of Mallaig in the western Highlands of Scotland.

As a tour guide I encounter a stop at Mallaig on the way between Fort William and Isle of Skye (or vice versa). At Mallaig it is possible to connect with a ferry which transfers people and vehicles to/from Skye at regular intervals entailing a journey time of about 25 minutes. The short ferry trip is quite scenic and affords wonderful views of the Knoydart Penisula. Occasionally, it is possible to spot wildlife such as dolphins escorting the ferry.

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Visit Eilean Donan Castle, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:13:17 +0000

Piper at Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, namely Eilean Donan Castle which is, conveniently for visitors, situated near Kyle of Lochalsh on the road from Isle of Skye to Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. In fact the castle’s location has nothing to do with modern road communications but its situation at the confluence of lochs Alsh, Duich and Long allows control of important waterways which, in historic times, were the only means of travel.

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Visit Rannoch Moor in Winter, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:39:57 +0000

Deer on Rannoch Moor in Winter

This evening, I am focusing on the somewhat bleak and rugged Rannoch Moor which lies south of the Great Glen fault below Glencoe. Key features:

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