The Hebridean Explorer's Favourite Places

The Hebridean Explorer’s Top 15 Favourite Places

A list of “My Favourite Places”

I am often asked about my favourite place and as you can imagine its impossible to pick one so I have put together a list of my top 15 (in no particular order!).

There are so many great places to visit and I could have made this list over 50 without even thinking about it! So getting it to just 15 hasn’t been easy.

The list contains a mixture of places which still take my breath away with their dramatic views (even though I have seen them a lot) along with the areas that make history of the Scottish Highlands and Hebridean Islands come alive for me.

Dunadd Hill Fort, Argyll

The Quiraing, Skye

Luskentyre, Harris

This natural hill fort in Kilmartin Glen is consider to have been one of the main sites for the Gaels in the 6th and 7th century when they were establishing the Scots Gaelic Kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll. Although very little evidence of them remains, it’s the sense of standing on the same ground as the ancient Kings of the Gaels that brings this hill top alive.

It’s hard to beat this spot for just sheer breath-taking views. Found at the end of the Trotternish Peninsula in North East Skye and accessed by following a very windy and steep single track road, the Quiraing never fails to impress. Geologically, the Quiraing and the Trotternish ridge are a product of a series of landslips.

The western seaboard of the Highlands and Hebrides are blessed with many great beaches but my personal favourite is Luskentyre. Found in South Harris in the Outer Hebrides, its stunning clear blue waters are so inviting - at least they are until to you realise its the Atlantic!!

Culloden, Inverness

Loch Maree, Wester Ross

Eilean Donan Castle

Very few places can feel so poignant and sad as the battlefield at Culloden where the last stand of the Jacobites took place. Considered by many to be a Scots vs English affair, in reality it was closer to a civil war within Scotland and the final stand of the Highland Gaelic Clans and their ancient ways. Culloden’s brutal legacy would be felt by the Gaels for many generations after.

The fourth largest Loch in Scotland, this beautiful body of water is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve. The Loch itself is home to numerous islands laden with some of the last of the original Scots Pines that centuries ago would have covered the Highlands of Scotland

Apart from being one of the most scenic castles in Scotland and having some spectacular views around it, Eilean Donan Castle also gives us a real glimpse into the past. Rebuilt less than a century ago - but to the 17th Century plans - it gives visitors an idea of life not only 300 years ago but also in Victorian times. It also a brilliant photo stop!!

Iona Abbey, Iona

Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness

Dun Carloway, Lewis

Not the easiest place to get to but absolutely worth every mile of single track road! It is here that St Columba established his Celtic Christian monastery in the 6th Century. It’s historical importance is underlined by the fact that it is the final resting place of many of the Kings of the Gaels of Dalriada, the early Kings of Scots and has strong links with the Macdonald Lords of the Isles

It’s hard to imagine a more iconic Highland site than Loch Ness, the beautiful and mysterious 23 mile long loch. To then have the imposing ruins of a medieval fortress - Urquhart Castle - at the edge of the Loch, makes this a very special place. Not only do you get a fantastic view of Loch Ness but the castle has a great interactive exhibition charting the turbulent history of the area

The Scottish Highlands are dotted with ruins of these Bronze Age stone Brochs (or Duns). Dun Carloway is one of the best surviving examples in the region and was probably built around 500 BC. Aside from the fact that it’s still standing nearly 2500 years later, it also gives us a real glimpse into the life of our ancient Hebridean ancestors.

The Cuillins, Skye

Kinlochewe Viewpoint

5 Sisters of Kintail, Highlands

The Cuillins in Skye are some of the most challenging mountains in the country. The range is also absolutely stunning and cannot be missed on any trip to Skye (unless it’s very misty!). My favourite spot is at Sligachan, looking up towards the peaks of Sgurr nan Gillean (‘summit of the boys’) and Am Basteir (‘the executioner’) with the river flowing down to Loch Sligachan.

The viewpoint at the top of Kinlochewe, looking back down to Loch Maree in the distance, in Wester Ross, is one of my favourite spots on any tour, for the simple reason that its just downright stunning! I visit it on every Lochs and Glens Tour,it’s our last stop and just sums up the tour completely, beautiful lochs surrounded by dramatic Highland glens.

Eilean Donan Castle, by the banks of Loch Duich are flanked by the dramatic five sisters of Kintail mountain range. There are 2 great viewpoints in the area, one on the way up Rattigan (photo above from this spot) and a viewpoint above the village of Inverinate.On a clear day its hard to find a better spot in the Scottish Highlands.

Calanais Stones, Lewis

Kilt Rock, Skye

Isle of Skye Ferry, Armadale

The Neolithic standing stones of Calanais, in the Outer Hebrides are between 4500 and 5000 years old! Who raised them, why were they raised, and what is their purpose? The answer is we really don’t know, but the best guess is they have an astronomical link. I love going to see them - despite having visited many times since my childhood - just because they let the imagination run wild!

Along the north-east coast of the Isle of Skye runs a magnificent set of cliffs, the highlight being the nearly 200 ft high, Kilt Rock. Known in Gaelic as ‘creag na feile’, due to the rock formations marked by a tartan-like pattern, the dramatic scenery is finished off by the River Mealt flowing over the edge to the rocks below and the waters of the Sound of Raasay.

Growing up with the stories of the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie and ‘that song’, there is nothing better than still being able to take the boat ‘over the sea to Skye’. Corny and cheesy it may be but the views from the boat across from Mallaig on the Scottish mainland to Armadale in Skye were best summed up by one guest - awesome!