Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Big attractions They are the jewels in the crown of Scottish tourism – and it’s no wonder they draw in the crowds
Loch Lomond
Britain’s largest inland waterway and a playground for jet-skis and show-off boats. Lomond Shores at Balloch is the retail gateway to the loch and the Loch Lomond National Park. The west bank between Balloch and Tarbet is most developed: marinas, cruises, ferry to Inchmurrin Island. The road is more picturesque beyond Tarbet to Ardlui. The east is more natural, wooded; good lochside and hill walks.
The Cuillin Mountains
This hugely impressive range in the south of Skye, often shrouded in cloud or rain, is the romantic heartland of the islands. The Red Cuillin are smoother and nearer the PortreeBroadford road; the Black Cuillin gather behind and are best approached from Glen Brittle. Vast range of walks and scrambles.
Loch Ness
Most visits start from Inverness at the north end via the Caledonian Canal. Fort Augustus is at the other end, 35 miles to the south. Loch Ness is part of the still-navigable Caledonian Canal linking to the west coast at Fort William. Most traffic uses the A82 north bank road converging on Drumnadrochit - you can’t miss Urquhart Castle. Two of the best things about Loch Ness are the south road (B862) from Fort Augustus back to Inverness; and the detour from Drumnadrochit to Cannich to Glen Affric.
Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies
The splendid wheel and massive boat-lift at the convergence of the reinstated Union and Forth & Clyde canals – the world’s first coast-to-coast ship canal. The 35-metre lift is impressive to watch and great to go on. Great network of paths to walk and cycle from here and it links to The Helix and The Kelpies, dramatically rearing from the canal basin beside the M9. Neither Helix Park nor the giant horses’ heads are easy to get to ( junction 5; or bus from Grahamstown Station to Falkirk stadium, then walk).
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99