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.

Getting around is easy, with roads radiating out from the natural route centre of Inverness (never too far away) as well as "rim" roads taking in the best of the spectacular northern seaboard. As a further bonus, some of the best of the northern landscapes, for example mid & east Sutherland and the Flow Country of Caithness, can be seen by train.

The Northern Highlands offer an excellent choice of things to do. Naturally, these sublime landscapes are made for walkers and climbers. There are lochs - all but uncountable numbers in the north-west - to satisfy anglers who love solitude. There is a good choice of boat trips and cruises for close encounters with sea-caves, sea-stacks, seals and dolphins - and even to a special garden accessible only by sea. Golf, cycling, riding and watersports are all to be found here as well.

Ultimately, however, it is the wilderness experience of the far north and its all but empty grandeur which will leave the strongest impression.