Applecross peninsula

The Applecross peninsula is one of the Highlands’ most magical places. The road from the west passes through the white-knuckle Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle), a historical route that was made by cattle droves to get their beasts to market from the western extreme of this vast and barren land.

Or choose the northern coastal road, which clings to the contrasting lowlands, a much more relaxing and easygoing route that takes you from Applecross to Sheildaig and then to Torridon.

The irony of this choice is that the latter route is relatively recent, before which the only way in and out was through the bealach.

It’s stunning scenery, if you can take your eyes off the road, but once at the top, there is ample parking to stop, take in the view and you really do feel like you’re on top of the world. The plateau, which slowly inclines down to the Applecross village and bay is like a moonscape, scattered with rocks and stones that feel like they’ve been strewn across the land by some prehistoric geological event.

Attractions at the village, apart from the natural beauty of a west coast landscape, include a walled garden, hand-weaving workshop, campsite and inn.