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Scottish Highlands { 41 images } Created 9 Jul 2016

This is a pictorial road map for driving through the Scottish Highlands, some of the most stunning countryside in the United Kingdom. Along the way you will visit scotch distilleries, gorgeous lochs, romantic castles, rugged coastlines and towering mountains.
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  • Welcome to the Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The Scottish Highlands is divided into two major areas: the Grampian Mountains and the Northwest Highlands. The first is between the Highland Boundary Fault and the Great Glen Fault. The second stretches to the western coastline.  You are now embarking on a pictorial tour of this beautiful region of Scotland.  Fàilte! (Gaelic for Welcome).
    Scotland-Highlands-Welcome.jpg
  • Introduction to Malt Whiskey Trail in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Fans of scotch will thoroughly enjoy driving along the Malt Whiskey Trail in Strathspey.  There are approximately 40 distilleries in this region located along Caingorms National Park and following the River Spey. The trail is a marketing association featuring eight distilleries available to tour.  All of them produce single malt whiskey. By law, this means they are produced from malted barley and are aged a minimum of three years in oak casks.  This is the entrance to Glenfiddich.
    Scotland-Highlands-Whiskey_Trail_Int...jpg
  • Glenfiddich Distillery on Malt Whiskey Trail in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Glenfiddich was founded near Dufftown in 1886 by William Grant and is still managed by his descendants. The name is Gaelic for Valley of the Deer. As you approach their visitor’s center, you are greeted with the sweet smell of malt. The world’s number one producer of single malt scotch markets eight versions ranging in age from twelve to fifty years.  The best part of the tour is tasting some of them.
    Scotland-Highlands-Whiskey_Trail_Gle...jpg
  • Glenlivet Distillery on Malt Whiskey Trail in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
A crude version of scotch began in Scotland towards the end of the 15th century. After Parliament passed a law regulating its production, George Smith was the first to acquire a license.  He then established the Glenlivet Distillery in 1824, named after the town where it was founded. Since then, it has grown into the world’s second largest producer of single malt Scotch whiskey. These barrels are their sign as you approach the distillery.
    Scotland-Highlands-Whiskey_Trail_Gle...jpg
  • Tormore Distillery on Malt Whiskey Trail in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Established in 1958, the Tormore Distillery is one of the youngest producers of Spreyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Its main building, designed by architect Alexander Cullen, is visually striking and accented by a manicured garden.  It is owned by Pernod Ricard, a French company and major marketer of distilled beverages.  The holding company also manages the nearby Glenlivet Distillery plus other brands such as Chivas Regal, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Seagram.
    Scotland-Highlands-Whiskey_Trail_Tor...jpg
  • River Spey in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
While driving south along A95 from the Moray area, the first town you reach within the Highland Council Area, better known as the Scottish Highlands, is Grantown on Spey. As its name suggests, it is located along the River Spey. This river is a source of water for several scotch distilleries.  It is equally loved by fishermen for its abundance of trout and Atlantic Salmon.
    Scotland-Highlands-River_Spey.jpg
  • Common Tern on River Spey in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
The River Spey flows south to north from its origin at Loch Spey into the Moray Firth, an inlet of the North Sea.  Much of its valley was formed by glaciers about 2.5 million years ago. Its fast moving waters is home to four endangered species: the sea lamprey, the freshwater pearl mussel, Atlantic salmon and the otter, known in Gaelic as the dobhran or beaste dubh (black beast).  It also provided lunch for this diving common tern.
    Scotland-Highlands-River_Spey_Common...jpg
  • Legends of Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The first sighting of a sea monster in Loch Ness was reported by Alex Campbell in 1933, followed by a similar report from George Spicer. A few months later, Hugh Gray produced a grainy photo of the beast.  Soon myths emerged of its existence dating back to the 7th century.  Since then, there have been countless sightings, explorations, photographs, articles and documentaries.  Although “Nessie” remains elusive, the legend continues to be a major boom for tourism.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Legends.jpg
  • Description of Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Loch Ness is Scotland’s second largest lake but the most famous.  Located just south of Inverness, it stretches for almost 23 miles along the Great Glen Fault dividing the Grampian Mountains from the Northwest Highlands. There are plenty of rocks along the shoreline left behind by a glacier from millions of years ago. The retreating ice and fault created a lake with a maximum depth of 775 feet.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Descrip...jpg
  • Tours on Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Visiting Loch Ness is a wonderful daytrip from Inverness. Guided coach tours are available around the lake including a stop at the Urquhart Castle.  Better yet, consider booking a cruise ranging from one to three hours along the Caledonian Canal and the lake.  Bring your camera. The scenery is gorgeous. You might also be lucky enough to capture an image of Nessie.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Tours.jpg
  • Distant View of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Just before reaching the town of Drumnadrochit while driving along A82, you are given a fabulous view of Urquhart Castle sitting on a jetty of land reaching out into Loch Ness. This silhouette of the majestic fortress on Strone Point looks like a scene from a romance novel set in medieval times.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Urquhar...jpg
  • Exhibition Centre at Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition Experience near Drumnadrochit is the official welcoming attraction for all tourists visiting Scotland’s famous lake.  It has exhibits and a multi-media presentation explaining the geological formation of the area plus tells the stories of its illusive resident: the Loch Ness Monster.  Of course there is also a large gift shop with an obvious focus on Nessie souvenirs.
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  • Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The small town of Drumnadrochit, located along the western shores of Loch Ness, has less than 1,000 residents.  The surrounding countryside is stunning.  Modest houses dot the hillsides consisting of farms and woodlots.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Drumnad...jpg
  • Yellow Gorse Framing Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The dominate colors of the Scottish Highlands in spring is green with dashes of yellow. No, not from the sun but from gorse.  This prickly shrub seen here framing Loch Ness grows wild in patches along roads and hillsides.  A Fabaceae cousin to the common gorse is broom. The latter has similar, bright yellow flowers yet a smooth stem.  To a tourist’s eye, both plants add a delightful accent to the countryside.  To residents, they are an invasive weed.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Yellow_...jpg
  • Urquhart Castle Overlooking Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
This view of Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness makes it easy to see why this site was selected to build a citadel during the 6th century.  In 1233, Alan Durward was granted the land by Alexander III, King of the Scots.  He was the first to begin building the current Urquhart Castle.  The fortress was the scene of several expansions, battles and owners until it was purposefully destroyed in 1692 by William of Orange’s army to prevent it from being used during the Jacobite risings (1689 – 1759).
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Urquhar...jpg
  • Grant Tower at Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
The centerpiece of the Urquhart Castle is the Grant Tower. This five-level, 40 foot stone keep was named after John Grant.  In 1509, James IV of Scotland gave Grant a lifetime lease on the property in return for repairing and maintaining it. The ruins are a major tourist attraction.  After  crossing over the bridge, you can walk around the 14th century walls enclosing the Nether Bailey (courtyard), climb the tower and explore the foundations of its past buildings and rooms.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Ness_Urquhar...jpg
  • Torgoyle Bridge in Glenmoriston in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
A887 starts at the small town of Invermoriston on the banks of Loch Ness and heads west into the Northwest Highlands.  It travels through the valley named Glenmoriston and parallel to the River Moriston before crossing the flowing water near Drundreggan.  The Torgoyle Bridge was first built by Thomas Telford in 1811.  After being destroyed during a flood in 1818, the three-span stone bridge was replaced in 1823 based on a design by Joseph Mitchell.
    Scotland-Highlands-Glenmoriston_Torg...jpg
  • Forest in Glenmoriston in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
There are 10,000 acres of forest at the former Dundreggan Estate purchased in 2008 by Trees for Life.  Their mission is to preserve the native trees while annually planting 30,000 new ones. This enhances the natural habitat for wildlife. The Glenmoriston valley is also famous as the escape route for Bonnie Prince Charlie from the English troops in 1746 at the end of the Jacobite rising.  This is the River Moriston.  Its name in Gaelic means “River to the Waterfalls.”
    Scotland-Highlands-Glenmoriston_Fore...jpg
  • Loch Cluanie Dam in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
Near the junction where A887 merges into A87 is the Loch Cluanie Dam.  It stretches an impressive 2,214 feet.  Built in 1957, this section of the Glenmoriston project is part of an elaborate network of hydro-electric schemes in the Highlands.  Together with nuclear and oil power plants plus wind power, Scotland has become a net exporter of electricity.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Cluanie_Dam.jpg
  • Loch Cluanie Reservoir in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
The Loch Cluanie is a water reservoir formed and regulated by the Loch Cluanie Dam.  The beautiful lake is best seen while driving on A87. This road through the Glen Shiel also provides spectacular views of the Five Sisters of Kintail.  They form an almost continuous ridge for 9.5 miles. Three of the five summits are over 3,000 feet in height, qualifying each of them as a “munro.”  This mountain range is popular among hikers.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Cluanie_Rese...jpg
  • Glen Shiel Bridge in Scottish Highlands, Scotland<br />
This charming, stone-arched bridge was built over the River Shiel in 1815 by architect Thomas Telford.  About 100 years before, this was the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel.  On June 10, 1719, British troops clashed with Jacobites. They were rebels who wanted to restore King James II and VII to the throne of England, Ireland and Scotland.  The three-hour skirmish resulted in a crushing defeat of the Jacobites and their Spanish allies.
    Scotland-Highlands-Glen_Shiel_ Bridg...jpg
  • Beached Tugboat on Loch Duich in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
Loch Duich is located in the Skye and Lochalsh Divisional Area within the West Highlands.  As an inlet to the sea, it experiences high and low tides twice a day. It is common to see watercraft like this tugboat anchored to shore and apparently beached during low tide.  Although it looks shallow, this lake reaches a depth of 377 feet.  In the background is the Kintail Lodge Hotel, named after the surrounding Five Sisters of Kintail mountains.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Duich_Beache...jpg
  • Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
The Eilean Donan Castle is located on a small island at the juncture of three lochs: Duich, Long and Aish. Its namesake is Saint Donnán of Eigg, a 7th century Irish priest. The first fortification was built here during the early 13th century by the Scottish nobles called Lord of the Isles.  Late in the 1200s, it was owned by Clan Mackenzie.  The Mackenzies expanded the fort and maintained control for centuries despite several battles among neighboring clans. The castle met its fate during the Jacobite rising of 1719.  After three ships from the Royal Navy bombarded it from sea, they completely destroyed the Eilean Donan using 27 barrels of gunpowder.  It was rebuilt during the early 20th century.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Duich_Eilean...jpg
  • Eilean Donan Castle Profile on Loch Duich in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
The 13th century Eilean Donan Castle lay in ruins for 200 years, from 1719 until 1919, when John MacRae-Gilstrap began building his vision of the Clan Mackenzie castle. When it was finished in 1932, historians claimed it bore little resemblance to the original.  However, as a romanticized version of a medieval castle, Eilean Donan has become a major tourist destination in the Scottish Highlands.  It sits on an island within Loch Duich and is accessible by a stone bridge.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Duich_Eilean...jpg
  • Isle of Skye Seen From Loch Alsh in Scottish Highlands, Scotland <br />
Loch Alsh is a sea inlet in the Northwest Highlands. The waterway stretches for about 7.5 miles along A87 from the Eilean Donan Castle to where it flows into the Inner Sound near the town of Kyle of Lochalsh.  This photo looks back towards the Kintail Hills (Five Sisters) and where the lake connects with Loch Duich. It also shows the mouth of the Kyle Rhea. This strait forms part of the eastern coastline of the Island of Skye.
    Scotland-Highlands-Loch_Alsh_Isle_Sk...jpg
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