Scottish Highlands - Countryside places to visit

Mealt Falls is a dramatic waterfall south of Staffin, where the water drops 55m to the rocky shore below. From the viewing platform, you can also see Kilt Rock, a dramatic rock formation of basalt columns resembling the pleats of a traditional Highland kilt.
Ellishader, Staffin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9JE

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Mull Head is a nature reserve extending to over 200 acres, taking in coastal grassland, heather moorland, spectacular cliffs and coastal scenery. Paths through the reserve provide for circular walks ranging from 3-5 miles.
Deerness, Deerness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Brough of Deerness ruined chapel

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In the centre of the River Ness in Inverness lie small islands linked to the bank by picturesque footbridges. Ness Islands are a public park and nature reserve offering attractive walks through mature trees - and the chance to spot seals and otters.
Ness Bank, Inverness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Public Park
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Heritage Highlight: Laid out as a Victorian public park

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The first geopark in Scotland, the North West Highlands Geo Park is the least populated area of Scotland, a region where the wildlife vastly outnumbers the people, and lonely mountains slumber in undisturbed splendour. The park encompasses over 2000 square kilometres of territory, much of it uninhabited, stretching from the north coast of Sutherland to the southern boundary of Wester Ross.
The Rock Stop, Kylesku, Unapool, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV27 4HW

Attraction Type: Countryside - Park
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Probably the best-known RSPB reserve on Orkney - an absolute paradise for bird lovers. Noup Cliffs reserve is the largest seabird colony in Orkney, featuring Guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, and puffins. Free entry, but donation requested.
Noup, Pierowall, Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW17 2DW

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The Old Man of Stoer is a dramatic sea stack north of Stoer Head Lighthouse in Sutherland. The Old Man (not to be confused with the Old Man of Storr rock needle on the Isle of Skye) is 60 metres high (197 feet in old money) and composed of Torridonian sandstone.
Stoer, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The Old Man of Storr is a dramatic rock needle, an outcrop of The Storr ridge, rising above the northern end of Loch Leathan, Skye. The walk to the Old Man is one of the most popular on Skye, and draws thousands of visitors every year.
A855, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Rock Formation
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Plodda Falls is a dramatic 151-foot waterfall on a tributary of the River Affric. The waterfall is set in a late Victorian plantation of majestic Douglas fir trees planted by Lord Tweedmouth. A viewing platform juts out over the lip of the falls and a circular walk leads through the fir plantation to the base of the waterfall.
Glen Affric, Tomich, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV4 7LY

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Heritage Highlight: Set in a glorious late Victorian Douglas fir plantation

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On a secluded headland south of Elgol is the cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his last night on Skye while fleeing from his enemies after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. The cave can only be reached at low tide, after a walk over 1.25 miles from Elgol harbour.
Elgol, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV49 9BJ

Attraction Type: Countryside - Cave
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Heritage Highlight: Bonnie Prince Charlie's hiding place in 1746

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A traditional Highland stone cairn marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for the final time following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. By coincidence Loch nan Uamh was also the place he arrived 14 months earlier to launch his bid for the throne.
A830, Road to the Isles, Arisaig, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Landmark
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