Scottish Highlands - Countryside places to visit

This 17-acre woodland garden was begun in the 1870s and features rare species of trees and shrubs brought to Scotland by Victorian plant-hunters. A waymarked trail leads along a steep-sided gorge past picturesque waterfalls.
A385, Ullapool, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV23 2RS

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Heritage Highlight: Rare Serbian spruce

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Lealt Waterfall is a 90m cascade on the River Lealt, 4 miles south of Staffin. A level trail leads to a viewing platform built out over the edge of the gorge for views of the upper falls. Follow the trail to a second viewing area looking over the dramatic coastline, with views of a ruined Victorian diatomite factory.
A855, Staffin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Heritage Highlight: Ruins of Victorian diatomite factory at the water's edge

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An easy all-abilities trail winds through the glorious scenery of the Little Assynt Estate, passing two lochs and climbing gradually to a viewpoint looking over the estate. There are picnic tables and toilets beside each loch.
A837, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Loch Cluanie is an inland loch and reservoir formed by damming the River Cluanie and Loch Loyne in 1955. It forms part of a vast sporting estate covering over 20,000 acres and includes Cluanie Forest, home to the oldest Caledonian pine tree in Europe.
A87, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Loch Coriusk is a freshwater loch in a stunning setting at the heart of the Black Cuillins, surrounded by jagged peaks. A trail leads around the loch, making for an unforgettable walk through some of Scotland's best scenery. The loch is normally reached by boat from Elgol.
Black Cuillins, Elgol, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Loch
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There are two major nature reserves in the southern isles; the first is the RSPB reserve at Balranald on North Uist. The second is the Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve just north of Kildonan, on South Uist.

A865, Stilligarry, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, HS8 5RS

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The Osprey Centre is a nature reserve on the shore of Loch Garten, in the Abernethy Forest near Nethy Bridge, at the north-east corner of the Cairngorm National Park. For many years ospreys deserted Scotland, but a pair breeding birds settled in the Loch Garten area, and the Osprey Centre was set up to monitor the birds, preserve their habitat, and allow visitors to safely view the nest without disturbing the birds.
Boat of Garten, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Loch Ness stretches 23 miles southwest from Inverness to Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal that connects it to Loch Oich. The loch is famous as the alleged home of the Loch Ness Monster, usually dubbed 'Nessie', a serpentine creature of dubious origin and even more dubious reality!
Highlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Lake
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Heritage Highlight: Historic Urquhart Castle

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A path leads from a small parking area along the cliffs above a narrow geo, or inlet, where a multitude of birds nest. The path joins the coastal walk towards Birsay to the east, or you can descend to the rocks along the shore and look for seabirds and seals. The rock formations are wonderful and the going is quite easy.
Longaglebe, Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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On Marwick Head is an RSPB nature reserve featuring thousands of breeding seabirds in a clifftop location. The views are spectacular. Also on Marwick Head is the Kitchener Memorial, a tower dedicated to the memory of Lord Kitchener who was killed in the wreck of the HMS Hampshire off this coast in 1916.
Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Kitchener Memorial atop the cliffs

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