Routes
Road to the Highlands
Guests who begin their itinerary in the southern part of Scotland, either in the Capital city of Edinburgh or Glasgow, will have a 4 hour drive north to Scatwell House in the heart of the Highlands. The most direct route is via the A9. En-route there is the opportunity of visiting Blair Atholl Castle and the beautiful country store, The House of Bruer.
Travelling further up the A9 , you will travel through the rugged boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park and passed the Tomatin Distillery. The journey crosses many salmon rivers (Tay, Spey, Findhorn, etc.) to the entrance of the Highlands. The fist view of Inverness for the visitor will be when driving down off the mountains and the city lays in front of you along the shores of the North Sea and Moray Firth. Scatwell House lays some 45 minutes north of Inverness. Taking the road north you will soon enter the stunning Strathconnon glen, one of the most beautiful in Scotland.
In the direction of the Isle of Skye
From Scatwell, you can easily have a day trip to the Isle of Skye and the castle of Eilean Donan which lays on the shore of the mainland overlooking the Isle of Skye. Eilean Donan is an absolute must for a visit and houses a most interesting exhibition of historical artifacts dating back to Viking times.
It is also possible to catch the train from Dingwall or Garve to Kyle of Lochalsh and then walk over the sea bridge to the Isle of Skye.
Speyside Trip
Laying to the south east of Scatwell and beyond Inverness is Speyside, famous as the home of the Scottish Whisky production. The visitor can spend an interesting day visiting the distilleries whilst taking in some magnificent scenery.
Attractions may include a visit to Ballindalloch Castle or a trip on a steam train from Aviemore to Grantown on Spey.
Nearer home up Strathconon Glen
Scatwell House sits 5 miles up Strathconnon Glen. Strathconon extends for 20 miles. The landscape changes from green lush open countryside at the beginning of the glen to a mountainous and remote landscape at itshead. An impressive and remote place of natural beauty.
The Glen has a population of approximately 400 people, so it has retained its isolated and peaceful atmosphere. In fact, if you feel energized, you can walk from Scardroy along the old drovers road to Achnasheen on the other side of the glen.
The glen is home to many varieties of flora and fauna and Golden Eagles can be seen soaring high above the mountain tops.
Excursions through the North West Highlands
We are in an ideal position for day trips to the east and west coasts with its fabulous scenery. Heading north west from Scatwell you will very quickly be in some of the most sparsly populated areas in Europe with high rugged mountain peaks and deserted white sand beaches.
Visit Ullapool,Gairloch and a host of small highland towns each with their own individual character.
The area is home to the North West Highland Geological Park which boasts the oldest rock formations in the world.
The whole area is full of natural features and a visitor will not be fail to be impressed with the greenery and the scale of the vista.
Sutherland and the Far North Trip
If you fancy heading north and east,you will not be disappointed. Passing through the market town of Dingwall with all its charming shops including antique and bookshops, you will soon be heading up the A9 through Sutherland possibly the most beautiful county in the United Kingdom.
The area is home to some of the best golf courses in the country at Dornoch,Skibo and Brora and has its fair share of Whisky Distilleries. Between Golspie and Brora you will find Dunrobin Castle which is well worth a visit to view its collections within.
Continuing up the A9 the adventurous traveller can head for John O’Groats and
Dunnet Head,the most northerly point on the UK mainland from where you can see
the Orkney Islands.
