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15 hidden gems in the Highlands and Islands

Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland with the Jacobite steam train passing over on its way to Mallaig.
Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland with the Jacobite steam train passing over on its way to Mallaig.

1. Glenfinnan Viaduct and Station Museum, Glenfinnan

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Two Harry Potter movies were shot on Glenfinnan Viaduct which is 100ft above the ground. You can cross it on the Jacobite steam train

Where: PH37 4LT

Plodda Falls

2. Plodda Falls, Beauly

Scotland’s most thrilling waterfall plunges 151ft (46m) cloaking the forest below in a fine mist.

Where: IV4 7LY 

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3. Kishorn Seafood Bar, Strathcarron

This is rated as one of the 10 best places to eat by the sea in the UK. The local lobster is delicious!

Where:  IV54 8XA 

A beautiful day during Easter, Achmelvich Beach, Near Lochinver Gael Thomson, Aberdeen - for Scottish Life
A beautiful day during Easter, Achmelvich Beach, Near Lochinver<br />Gael Thomson, Aberdeen – for Scottish Life

4. Achmelvich Bay, Lairg

With its crystaline turquoise sea and bleached white sand beaches, this bay could easily be in the Caribbean, but it is just three miles from Lochinver in Sutherland. Don’t be put off by the single track road – it leads to paradise.

Where: IV27 4JB 

bealach na ba

5. Bealach na ba, begins near Kishorn

The Bealach (cattle pass) to Applecross is one of the steepest, most dramatic, hairpin roads in the UK, rivalling any Swiss mountain pass. The views will take your breath away.

Where: IV54 8XA 

Looking towards Affric Lodge Loch Affric Glen Affric Inverness-shire Scottish Highlands Highland Scotland UK

6. Glen Affric, Cannich

This place will feed your soul. With its beautiful name-sake loch, it’s a wondrous place of waterfalls, rock and Caledonian forest. .

Where: IV4 7NB 

Old Keiss Castle, Caithness, between John O'Groats and Wick, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

7. Keiss Castle, near Wick

Ruined 16th Century Keiss Castle is perched periously close to sheer cliffs and is absolutely astonishing.

Where: KW1 4XF

Raasay - Calum's Road_18375983

8. Calum’s road, Raasay

Lighthouse keeper the late Calum MacLeod built this two-mile stretch of road on Raasay single-handedly.

Where: IV40 8PF

Yesnaby sea stack
Yesnaby sea stack

9. Yesnaby Cliffs, Stromness

Most visitors to Orkney take in the Old Man of Hoy, but the one-and-a-half hour walk along the cliffs at Yesnaby is equally spellbinding.

Where: KW16 3LP

Men descending from Caisteal Liath the highest point on Suilven in the Scottish Highlands
Men descending from Caisteal Liath the highest point on Suilven in the Scottish Highlands

10. Suilven, near Lochinver

Hike up Suilven. Only 2398ft high, its unique shape makes it one of the UK’s most distinctive mountains.

Where: IV27 4LX 

Callanish standing stone circle, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK.
Callanish standing stone circle, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK.

11. Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis

On Lewis, the most northerly of the Western Isles, are these ancient and evocative standing stones.

Where: HS2 9DY 

Laggan Dam releasing excess water to lower the level . Picture by Gordon Lennox 07/01/2012.
Laggan Dam releasing excess water to lower the level .<br />Picture by Gordon Lennox 07/01/2012.

12. Laggan Dam, Loch Laggan

It’s like a man-made Niagra Falls. This 1934 dam stretches 700ft (213m) and stands 170ft (52m) tall.

Where: PH31 4AR

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13. Inn-side-Out, Applecross

Enjoy Aron’s ice cream on what feels like the edge of the world. A US-style diner with magical views.

Where: IV54 8LR

Ladhar Bheinn, the highest peak in Knoydart, over Loch Hourn, from near Kinloch Hourn, Highland region, Scotland, UK.

14. Kinloch Hourn, Invergarry

On a still day Loch Hourn mirrors the heavens. You can walk for miles along its edge to Barrisdale – one of the gateways to the remote Knoydart penninsula.

Where: PH35 4HD

(Sandy McCook)
(Sandy McCook)

15. Tomich Conservation Village, Beauly

The enchanting Victorian village of Tomich is close to Plodda Falls and Glen Affric – and great for lunch.

Where: IV4 7LY

 

Want to explore more of Scotland? Head to our Scottish Gems section.