The Beautiful Skye and Lochalsh Region

While I do think that Plockton is the prettiest spot in the North, I'm prepared to concede that there are many other wonderful areas reachable during a day's driving tour from Plockton.

I'd be happy to recommend routes and sights depending on your own interests.

You will probably pass Eilean Donan Castle (next to the village of Dornie) on your drive north to Plockton.

It's surely the most photographed castle in Scotland and well worth a tour, as it is open all year round. The webcam near the Castle has a great view too!

Photo: thanks to Sam MacKenzie (October 2007)

A visit north to Gairloch to the astonishing subtropical Inverewe Garden is also recommended.

Plockton is only 6 miles from the Isle of Skye. "Over the Sea to Skye" is still the way to go, but via the toll-free Skye Bridge.

There's lots of things to see and do on Skye, such as Dunvegan castle, the Clan Donald Centre and the otter reserve.

Craft shops and cottage museums abound for those so inclined. The towns of Kyleakin,Elgol, Broadford, Portree and Uig are pretty, and roundtrips by car or bus make a full and interesting day.

I've recently taken a new set of photos during day trips with my grandson Sam.

Skye is very accessible by road. Look for the dramatic differences between the Red Cuillins and the Black Cuillans, and the stark beauty of The Quirang. (Sam's photos opposite, show the Black Cuillins the Quirang, and The Kilt Rock.)

Walking on Skye is also famous and the mountains are breath-taking. Be aware though, that the weather can change dramatically and quickly, so prepare well and let someone know where you are walking.

One of the highlights of any Scottish trip must surely be a visit to a whisky distillery! The Talisker distillery is the only one on Skye. Talisker is located near the tiny village of Carbost on the western edge of Skye, about 1 1/2 hours gentle and delightful drive from Plockton.

The whisky is peaty and seaweedy and truly splendid, the distillery tour is interesting and not as 'commercial' as some others. Don't miss it!

(photographs by David Duke, used with permission)

Photos: thanks to Sam MacKenzie, October 2007

Drive past the Five Sisters of Kintail (shown in the photo) and over the top to Glenelg (my favourite spot (ed.))

A small ferry still runs during summer, across the narrow Sound to Skye. It's a lovely wee trip, and the Skye jetty is reached from a fairly precipitous road. Highly recommended!

A couple of kilometres past Glenelg are two brochs. Brochs are Pictish 'buildings', quite common in the North and the Islands, which are fascinating to walk around and through.  Their history and purpose are still being argued over by historians.

The Glenelg brochs are two of the best examples on the mainland.

Photo: thanks to Sam MacKenzie: we took this photo together in October 2007

Drive up the "Bealach na Ba " (Pass of the Cattle), passing Kishorn, to Applecross, and then follow the round route to Shieldag and back via Torridon and Lochcarron.

This is a wonderful 3-4 hour circular drive and the views of northern Skye from the top of the Bealach or up the western side of the Applecross Peninsula are fabulous on a clear day.

Make a day of it and have a great bar lunch in Applecross!