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North Highlands Self Catering Holidays

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No-one who travels here can fail to be struck by a sense of being somewhere different. The sheer atmosphere of these northlands makes a big impression. Yet the Northern Highlands also offer splendid variety, all the way from the remote wildness of the austere rock-hewn landscapes of the far north west now Scotland's first Geopark and Wester Ross, to the quintessentially Scottish architecture of the old burgh of Cromarty at the tip of the Black Isle or the ancient archaeological sites of Caithness.

Dingwall

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Dingwall is a town with a long and rich history dating back to beyond the times when it was a Norse settlement. Sitting at the head of the Cromarty Firth, Dingwall was made a Royal Burgh in 1226 and the town and surrounding area is steeped in history, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy many rich experiences when spending time in this outstanding part of the Scottish Highlands. Dingwall is the county town of Ross-shire and has been a centre for trade, administration and justice since Norse times and to this day continues to be at the centre of county activity. Served by excellent transport links and easy to reach by road, rail, bus or bike, there has never been a better time to come and visit.

Dornoch

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The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is an historic small town on the edge of the Dornoch Firth, a designated National Scenic Area in the Highlands of Scotland. Its tranquil location, scenery and climate have attracted visitors for decades. Some come to test their golfing skills on Royal Dornoch's championship course, or to walk and view wildlife in the National Nature Reserve at nearby Loch Fleet. Others simply want to relax and enjoy our unhurried way of life.

Durness

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The splendour of Durness is expressed in its extended horizons, in certain parts a view of over thirty kilometres is not uncommon. The north west coast line around Durness is formed of precipitous cliffs and sandy beaches. A crofting village spread out along the coast, Durness is basically a string of hamlets. The crofts with houses and strips of land lying out behind towards the coast. on limestone rocks giving rise to good pasture land. The name Durness could be from the Norse Drya-ness meaning Deer Cape or Deer point and has been referred to as an oasis in a barren land, the last resort or the last outpost. It stands slightly proud from the sea with sandy beaches and rocky coves.

Fortrose

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Fortrose lies between Avoch and Rosemarkie on the A832 on the southern coast of the Black Isle. Many of the buildings are of an ornate Victorian style, evidence that it was during this historical period that it went through a rapid period of expansion. However, other buildings are evidence of a much older history. Just to the seaward side of the High Street is Fortrose Cathedral.It was built in 1250 A.D., and though only a fraction of the original building remains standing, it is an impressive sight. It is constructed of red sandstone with a spire at one end. It stands within four walls, surrounded by mossy lawns, and there is a large free parking area around the walls. Every year, a mediaeval fair, St. Boniface's Fair where all participants wear mediaeval costume, is held in this square with the Cathedral as a centrpiece.

Gairloch

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Gairloch offers visitors clean sandy beaches, with history at every turn, dolphins, porpoises and seals in the loch, fishing boats in the harbour, a superb golf course, opportunities for fishing and pony trekking, and some of the best and most varied walking in Scotland. The area has been a popular holiday resort since Victorian times, when visitors came in on the regular steamers from the south. In those days most visitors put up at the 150-bed Gairloch Hotel (built in 1872), but today's visitors have a wide choice of accommodation, and lots of different places to wine, dine and shop all around the loch. In the summer the local inns and hotels frequently hold ceilidhs and musical evenings.

Lochinver

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Lochinver is the largest town north of Ullapool on the magical west coast of Sutherland, in the north west of Scotland. It is perfectly placed for exploring some of the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles, and was featured in Oscar Marzaroli's 1973 documentary 'The Highlands and Islands: A Royal Tour'. The iconic Suilven and world famous Stac Pollaidh mountains are closeby, so too is Ben More Assynt, one of the most northerly of the Munros. Canisp, Conival and Quinag are just some of the other celebrities of the hillwalking world which are right on the doorstep of Lochinver.

Tain

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Tain, Scotland's Oldest Royal Burgh, has something for everyone. Steeped in dramatic history with beautiful scenery, magnificent architecture, abundant wildlife, sporting and leisure activities and the guarantee of a traditional Highland welcome. The ideal centre for touring the Highlands of Scotland, you can enjoy golfing, fishing, bird watching, tranquil woods, dramatic hills, beautiful safe beaches, specialist shops and enterprising businesses, all with our unrivalled hospitality and accommodation to suit everyone

Ullapool

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Ullapool is nestled on the shores of Lochbroom about 1 hour North of Loch Ness and Inverness airport. It is the perfect base to discover Ross-shire, Cromarty, Sutherland, The Black Isle and Inverness (where the nearest Air, Rail and Bus Links are). The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board boasts some of the highest rates of repeat business in the country. Apart from the more famous attractions of Wester Ross such as Inverewe gardens, and the Victorian Spa town of Strathpeffer, locally there is a leisure centre, full size swimming pool, a golf course and, museum in an old church. In the evenings there is a surprisingly diverse selection of live entertainment throughout the year.

Wick

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Wick, which was for nearly 500 years the administrative centre of Caithness, lies on the east coast of northern Scotland, some 15 miles south of Duncansby Head. The name comes from the Norse Vik, meaning bay, and it was the Vikings who first used the mouth of the River Wick where it flows into Wick Bay as a harbour for their longships and trading vessels. Wick today still has the feel of a town that revolves around its harbour and its seafaring traditions, almost like an Aberdeen in miniature. The irony is that for much of its life, most of Wick's trade and fishing took place via the tiny hamlets of Papigoe and Staxigoe and their better sheltered but much smaller harbours just along the coast to the north east.