Scottish Highlands - Countryside places to visit

The largest native Scots pine woodland in the UK, Abernethy Forest is an area of ancient Caledonian pine forest in the north-east corner of the Cairngorm National Park. To the north, Abernethy borders on the Spey Valley. It takes its name from the River Nethy, which flows through the forest to join the Spey.

Nethy Bridge, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Just north of Fort Augustus a Forestry Commission Scotland trail leads through attractive mixed woodland beside Allt na Criche burn to a dramatic waterfall. There are outstanding views over Loch Ness from the trail, which links up to the Great Glen Way.
A82, Fort Augustus, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, PH32 4BL

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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A farm field just west of Wick is the site of the last feudal clan battle in Scotland, fought in 1680 between the Campbells and the Sinclairs for the earldom of Caithness, resulting in a Campbell victory. The site is marked by a memorial cross erected in the late Victorian period.
B874, Wick, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Battlefield
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Heritage Highlight: Site of [arguably] the last clan battle in Scotland

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Baile an Or is the site of a shanty town built by prospectors during the Great Sutherland Gold Rush of 1869, when over 600 men descended on Kildonan Burn and the surrounding creeks in search of gold. Licenses are still available to pan for gold along the burn.
A897, Kildonan, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW8 6HY

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Heritage Highlight: Site of the Sutherland Gold Rush

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One of two nature reserves in the Uists (the other being Loch Druidibeg reserve on South Uist). Balranald includes the westernmost point on North Uist; the Aird an Runair peninsula. The reserve offers wonderful coast and grassland habitat to a wide variety of birds; in particular corncrakes, corn buntings, lapwings, and other wading birds are prominent.
Balranald, North Uist, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Bealach na Ba (The Pass of the Cattle) is the closest thing in Britain to an alpine pass and is one of the most beautiful roads in the country. The road rises from Loch Kishorn, near Lochcarron, and climbs 626m to a summit offering magnificent views over Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
Applecross, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The first national nature reserve in the UK, Beinn Eighe takes in over 11,000 acres of superb Highland landscape on the western bank of Loch Maree, including one of the last remaining stands of ancient Caledonian pine forest. A mix of trails for all abilities offer superb views.
A832, Kinlochewe, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV22 2PA

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Birsay Moors is a moorland habitat for Arctic skuas, hen harriers, red-throated divers, and - on the ground - Orkney voles. Best in summer.
nr Finstown, Finstown, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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An RSPB nature reserve is located in a spectacular setting beside the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, with Harray Loch on one side and Stenness on the other. This reserve is best for seeing Orkney waders, curlews, snipe, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and oystercatchers. Best in summer.
Stenness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Nature reserve
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The Cairngorms takes in some of Scotland's most dramatic mountain scenery. The only vegetation in the high mountain areas is Arctic-Alpine. Cairngorms National Nature Reserve provides hill and mountain walking.
Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown on Spey, Highlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, PH26 3HG

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