MAZDA CX-5

True north in the Mazda CX-5

HAVING visited the Italian Lakes, gazed in some wonder at the Matterhorn and questioned how Venice manages to be constantly flooded, I have experienced some of the marvels of Europe. However, on a recent journey through the Highlands, I was not surprised to see groups of people staring at Scotland’s landscapes.

Many were from the Netherlands where windmills, clogs, cheese and attendant mice reside in a land that is as flat as a scone.

Mountain range summits that combine to have the look of an electro cardiogram and even smaller hills and baby glens are all absent from their flat and monotonous topography.

They were learning this part of Scotland was formed millions of years ago when the earth was a bubbling mass of erupting rock.

Add to this a few options such as more rounded mountains, lochs, gorges, waterfalls, enormous rocks, coves and uninhabited beaches and you have a vast area where spectacular descriptive adjectives combine comfortably.

I have often wondered what would be the best car to take on a Highland tour.

Going by the amount of water that’s around, the open top might not be the best bet. And going by the number of billionaires that lay claim to Highland estates, my guess is Rolls Royces will be 10 a penny, so that regal chariot is out. I suppose a nippy, wee French fancy might do the job, scooting from passing place to passing place, while a classic car of the more splendid type would I think add a little seasoning in this Highland park.

An opportunity finally arose when Mazda gave me a chance to drive its new CX-5 SUV for a few days from a base at Inverness Airport.

And so to the airfield by rail and road I travelled to get behind the wheel of a 2.2-litre 150ps diesel engine model in Sport Nav specification.

This new model has a sharper and sleeker appearance that’s not the least unpleasant from any angle.

I like the look of this car a lot but I will concede its colour does change its overall allure and that grumpy man in the pub will tell you its shadow is just the same as any other SUV.

Inside, the cabin has plenty of room for five adults and in my initial survey I reckoned it had a strong premium edge to its design and dashboard layout.

Although not covered in hand-stitched leather, it had plenty of hide and lots of softtouch areas.

It has the preferable rotary controller for operating function through its monitor and with its satellite navigation tuned-in for John o’ Groats and the head-up display charting my route, I was ready to go to the top of Scotland’s mainland.

The Mazda CX-5 cuts a fine figure at John o’ Groats as it explores the top of Scotland, uncovering vistas such as the A832 over Loch Maree.