"On and Mostly Off the Road in the Highlands" Top 5 Page for this destination Highland by Roadquill

Highland Travel Guide: 1,737 reviews and 3,895 photos

Trekking the Highlands

After a week trekking the Highlands of Scotland, (after spending a bit of time enjoying the sun here in Malibu) is that this was a great experience. Old castles, lochs, glacier sculpted mountains, fiddles and pipes and, of course, numerous pulled pints filled our week in the Highland.

Castles like the Eilean Donan are still used in movies, such as Highlander with Sean Connery. A film crew was using the castle while we visited.

Towns we enjoyed are listed in various tips and recommendations as well as restaurants and pubs we enjoyed in the area.

We did a one week trekking tour spending two nights in Ullapool, two nights in Gairloch and then three nights on the Isle of Skye in Edinbane.

Off the Road and into the Bog

Looking down from Cul Beag to Loch Lurgainn

Hiking the bog. No way for a So Cal boy to prepare for this. To slog the bog is to get off any modicum of trail, and step through saturated peat, bog, grass and heather. Placing each step to minimize how wet you were going to get. You are going to get wet, it is only a question of how wet. Water proof, high top boots are a must. Fortunately, it is not that cold, at least in September.

Pulling a Pint in a Pub

The Old Inn in Gairloch is a fine place for a pint

A pulled ale is one of the basic food groups in the Highland. After every hike we were ready for a pint or two.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful people and countryside
Cons:Too damn wet

Last visit to Highland: Sep 2007
Intro Updated Sep 15, 2007
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Reviews (18)

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Written Apr 29, 2008

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Mostly Off the Road In the Highlands

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Comments (7)

Nemorino Jul 7, 2011 at 11:37 AM Report Abuse

Hi Karl, I like your misty/foggy photos from your hiking trips in the Scottish highlands.
pieter_jan_v Mar 19, 2011 at 1:49 AM Report Abuse

Rain is wet indeed. PJ
micas_pt Jun 23, 2010 at 2:40 PM Report Abuse

Highland has long been on my wish list; I'll visit next July but it was great visiting today through your photos and tips.
balhannah Feb 9, 2010 at 1:15 AM Report Abuse

Nice page! Looked rather cold when you were there. The scenery and the waterfalls are pretty good!
Elena77 Dec 22, 2008 at 2:46 PM Report Abuse

Great tips, thanks for sharing! I really hope to visit Skye soon. It's such a fascinating place!
Jim_Eliason Aug 6, 2008 at 8:42 PM Report Abuse

Nice tips Karl!
nickandchris Jun 24, 2008 at 1:32 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful scenery. Hope to be touring around here in the motorhome in July. Thanks.