Scottish Highlands - historic towns and villages

Portree is the principal town of Skye and the island's capital. It makes an excellent base for exploring Skye and has a wealth of visitor facilities. The pretty harbour is ringed by colourfully-painted houses and shops.
A87, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: The Royal Hotel stands on the site of an inn where Bonnie Prince Charlie bid farewell to Flora MacDonald

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Shieldaig is a picturesque fishing port, created as a planned village by the Royal Navy in 1810 as a base to train sailors to combat Napoleon's navy. After the French threat faded, Sheildaig was home to a busy herring fishery.
A896, Shieldaig, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Thomas Telford's 1825 manse

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Stein is a picturesque village on the Waternish Peninsula, overlooking Loch Bay. The village was founded as a planned fishing port to a design by Thomas Telford, but most of the planned village was never built. The village is home to the oldest inn on Skye, the 18th-century Stein Inn.
B886, Stein, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Remains of Thomas Telford's 18th-century planned village

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The major town in Caithness, Thurso stands near the northernmost point of mainland Scotland. Thurso was a major centre during the Norse occupation of northern Scotland, and a traditional centre for tanning and linen cloth making.
Thurso, Caithness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Pictish stones in the Caithness Horizons Museum

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Uig is a village and ferry port on the west coast of Skye's Trotternish Peninsula. Local attractions include the magical Fairy Glen, Rha Waterfall, and Flora MacDonald's grave at nearby Kilmuir.
A87, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Captain Fraser's Folly, 1860

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Wick was settled by Vikings but made its name as the busiest herring port in the world during the Victorian period. On the cliffs stand the Castle of Old Wick, built around 1160, and just west of Wick is the site of the last clan battle in Scotland.
A99, Wick, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Castle of Old Wick, built circa 1160

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