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Easter Ross                         the coast of Caithness and
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Sutherland. Sail your way
                                                                                                                                                                                                     through caves and lochs
                                                                                                                                                                    Your next stop is Easter         while you keep an eye out
                                                                                                                                                                 Ross, an area of the Highlands      for dolphins, whales, and
                                                                                                                                                                 between the Cromarty and            seabirds!
                                                                                                                                                                 Dornoch Firth that’s full of          Your time here wouldn’t be
                                                                                                                                                                 natural wonders.                    complete without a trip to the
                                                                                                                                                                    The fishing village of           beach – our pick is Balnakeil
                                                                                                                                                                 Portmahomack makes for              Beach near Cape Wrath,
                                                                                                                                                                 an ideal base to explore the        a wide, white-sand beach
                                                                                                                                                                 peninsula – stay at one of          with aqua-blue water and a
                                                                                                                                                                 the Dolphin View cottages           backdrop of tall, grassy dunes.
                                                                                                                                                                 by the seaside, which offers
                                                                                                                                                                 panoramic views over the firth
                                                                                                                                                                 to the Sutherland mountains.  Wester Ross

                                                                                                                                                                    For an action-packed
                                                                                                                                                                 experience, have a go at gorge        Wester Ross will be the
                                                                                                                                                                 scrambling, kayak down lochs,       stunning final stop of your
                                                                                                                                                                 seas and glens, or explore one      North Coast 500 journey.
                                                                                                                                                                 of the many woodland and            Known for its unspoilt
                                                                                                                                                                 coastal trails via foot or bike,    wilderness, this area is largely
                                                                                                                                                                 including the history-laden         uninhabited and home
                                                                                                                                                                 Pictish Trail.                      to mountain ranges and
                                                                                                                                                                                                     beautiful lochs and glens.
                                                                                                                                                                 Caithness and                       stunning lochs in Scotland,
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Considered one of the most



                                                                                        Clockwise from                                                           Sutherland                          the 20-kilometre-long Loch
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Maree should definitely be on
                                                                                        top:
                                                                                                                                                                    Next it’s time to head           your to-see list. Beinn Eighe
                                                                                        Duncansby                                                                to Caithness and the                Nature Reserve is also worth a
                                                                                        Stacks stand                                                                                                 visit, with two well-maintained
                                                                                        prominently                                                              neighbouring region of
                                                                                        near the cliffs of                                                       Sutherland, situated in the         trails that pass through
                                                                                        Duncansby Head.                                                                                              the remains of the ancient
                                                                                        ©VisitScotland/                                                          north-easterly part of the          Caledonian forest.
                                                                                        Kenny Lam                                                                Scottish mainland.
                                                                                                                                                                    The Auld Post Office               The drive between Gairloch
                                                                                        Friends on the                                                                                               and the Applecross peninsula
                                                                                        Applecross pass.                                                         Bed and Breakfast offers
                                                                                                                                                                 welcoming, Art Deco-style           offers up one of the most
                                                                                        Portmahomack                                                                                                 breathtaking scenic drives in
                                                                                        Harbour is a                                                             accommodation which is              the UK, twisting and turning
                                                                                        picturesque                                                              ideally positioned near some
                                                                                        fishing village                                                          of Caithness’ best spots.           between the Munro ranges
                                                                                        in Easter Ross.                                                                                              before undulating down along
                                                                                        ©VisitScotland                                                              Check out the Brig O'Stack,      the coast.
                                                                                                                                                                 a dramatic sea cave just
                                                                                                                                                                 south of the town of Wick,            While in Applecross, try the
                                                                                                                                                                 walk along the clifftop at          world-famous seafood at The
                                                                                                                                                                 Duncansby Head, and explore         Applecross Inn, stroll along
                                                                                                                                                                 the stunning Dunrobin Castle        the rugged coastline, and visit
                                                                                                                                                                 and Gardens.                        Applecross Bay, a large sandy
                                                                                                                                                                    Hiring a tour boat is a          inlet which looks across the
                                                                                                                                                                 fantastic way to appreciate         Sound of Raasay to the Isle of
                                                                                                                                                                 the landscapes around               Skye.





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