Relaxing

Where else in the world can you find the peace and tranquillity offered in a Scottish Glen – and there are many to be found in the Northern Highlands. This area is renowned for offering relaxing settings to those who seek them. Take this entire coastline from the eastern shores of Ross-shire, round Caithness, on to Sutherland and back into the fascinating island-dotted Wester Ross.

Stop and think about it. Here you will find pure relaxation at its best. Check out the best place for you to stay on this site and map out a tour of the three counties doing just what suits your idea of Heaven. Book into a local Hotel, eat locally-sourced food from the Mey Selections beef and lamb, relax in the evening with a dram from a local distillery: Balblair, Glen Ord, Glenmorangie in Ross-shire, the Pulteney Distillery in Wick and in Sutherland, the Clyneleish, all happy to welcome visitors.

Find a Bed & Breakfast or Guest House with views to die for, where hospitality enhanced stays makes it hard to drag yourself away and on to the next stop. Be that on the coast or inland, meandering through the rich forest walks, taking in the flora and fauna – just try the Big Burn Walk at Golspie, a Borgie Forest pic-nic stop-off or walk up any attractive burn side, away from the roads, and listen to the pure magic of bird-song, or the distant bark of a dog fox seeking out his vixen.

You could start off by watching spectacular displays of dolphins playing close to the shoreline at Munlochy, then on round the Black Isle to a choice of relaxing on the Golf Course at Royal Dornoch or view the sea birds to be found in the wonderful stretches of golden sands fringing the village of Brora, before visiting the many delightful small harbours found all round this intriguing shoreline taking you all the way from Portmahomack in the east to Gairloch in the west. The children will love the rock-pools, the boats and the shores as much as the wide open sands.

Continuing up the Caithness coastline, admire the spectacular cliff formations, taking in so many photographic opportunities, Duncansby Head being only one stop en route to Sutherland with the enticement of so many clean silver-sanded beaches, you are spoiled for choice. As you leave the soft green lands of Caithness and move towards the hills and mountains of Sutherland, the sheer beauty takes away your breath; coasting down towards the scenery of Wester Ross, you wonder: can it get any better? It does. You chose whether to stick to the coastline or go inland. The peace and the relaxation are all there, waiting for you.

Don’t forget, there are other ways of relaxing! Visit bookshops, some particularly well known are Bews of Thurso, Loch Croispol at Durness and Achins at Lochinver, all three offering the delights of a coffee-shop experience as you peruse the books. The Ceilidh Place Bookshop in Ullapool – now, there’s a place to relax, and learn too!

Health, Beauty and Day Spas can be found in areas such as Thurso, Wick, Dornoch and Tain, as can indoor swimming opportunities, with a delightful Leisure Pool at Bettyhill. Horse Trekking through wonderful scenery can be found in all three counties. Boat trips are wonderfully relaxing and many take in wild life sightings. Fishing! What can be more relaxing – until the strike – on river, loch or sea. You really must come and visit our Tourism Information Centres where you can be pointed in the direction that will give you the relaxation you have come to the Northern Highlands to find. Pleasure, in the extreme is really out there.

But do remember. Three nights gives you only two days to enjoy this unique area. Think about all you can do. Think about your relaxation. Think about you. It is all here, waiting for you.

© Joan Campbell