The breathtakingly beautiful and romantic Highlands live up to their picture-postcard images with wild scenery, spectacular mountains, tumbling rivers and mirror-like lochs bounded by crystal-clear seas scattered with magical islands.

The pretty highland village of Fort Augustus is an ideal base for exploring the area. Approximately 60 miles north of Fort Augustus is the magnificent of Glen Affric, bordered by spectacular mountains (nicknamed the Five Sisters of Kintail) and home to a variety of animals and birds.  

The beautiful Isle of Skye is approximately 60 miles west of Fort Augustus.  Here one can visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, the pretty village of Portree with pastel-coloured cottages lining the harbour and the twee coastal village of Plockton, home to palm trees (!) and friendly Highland Cows.

Take a trip to the Moray Firth, probably the best place to see dolphins in Europe, or the traditional seaside resort of Nairn with its golden sandy beaches and championship golf courses.  Also worth a visit is the award-winning visitor centre at Culloden Moor, site of the last great battle fought in Britain, the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, or enjoy sampling the local whisky in one of the many distilleries in the area.

Walkers and cyclists can enjoy breathtaking views on many dedicated paths including the Great Glen Way which passes through Glen Mor along the northwest shores of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness, following the course of the Caledonian Canal.  Golfers have a choice of 46 courses in the Highlands.  There are water sports on offer both on Loch Ness and off the coast and ski-ing at Aviemore (65 miles east of Fort Augustus).  The area is also internationally renowned for its field sports including salmon and trout fishing, stalking and shooting.