Day Trips

A Day Trip to the far north west of the Scottish Mainland.

Explore the remote North West Highlands

What you might see or do with this service:

Starting from the city of Inverness the bus travels north west. Over the Kessock Bridge Built in 1982, the only cable stay bridge in Britain, spans 1052 Mtrs. The bridge provides an important link to the North. Previously traffic would have had to drive around the Beauly firth and the Cromarty Firth on winding roads. The bridge has shortened the distance by approx 30 miles and has encouraged the growth of Inverness as the capital of the highlands. The bridge links Inverness with the Black Isle.

Tore

Roundabout. Watch out for the Red kites. Introduced into the surrounding Black Isle area in 1989.

Dingwall

Once the local government centre for Ross and Cromarty it still remains a major market town with a newly constructed Cattle auction mart.

Strathpeffer

The village developed as a spa town in the 1800s as a result of its waters, which became known for their healing powers. With its Victorian splendour and charming atmosphere, Strathpeffer is also a very good base from which to explore the wider area. Ben Wyvis is virtually on the doorstep; north west lie the still more striking mountains around Beinn Dearg, north of the Ullapool road, and Sgurr Mor south of it.

Contin

A small village with access to forest walks and close by Rogie Falls.

An Idea for a walk: Strathpeffer - Rogie Falls - Strathgarve - Garve

Distance: 12.08 Km

Approximate time: 180 minutes

Height gain: 150m

OS Map: Explorer 437 - Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer

Description: A cross-country walk through pine forest and alongside Loch Garve from Strathpeffer to Garve, almost level, with good paths. There are several starting points to the walk, in Strathpeffer, but they all come together. This route starts at the Youth Hostel, goes along the edge of Loch Kinellan through farmland, then goes into forestry land for the rest of the walk. A short detour should be made to see the Rogie Falls on the River Blackwater ... Many salmon pass up the salmon ladder. Roe deer, red squirrels and buzzards may also be seen en route. The walk ends at the railway station in Garve.

Garve

The Road to Kyles of Lochalsh and Skye leaves from here and the Train also.

Braemore Junction

Alternative road west to Gairloch, Aultbea, etc and access to Correshalloch Gorge

Ullapool

Ferry port for Isle of Lewis originally a fishing town, now you can take boat trips to explore the sea life. A bus connection from here to Achiltibue.

Ledmore Junction

Geopark

Given International status in 2004 the area from assynt to Durness is of outstanding geological importance with such mountains as Stac polaidh, Suilven, Cul Mhor & Cul BeagVisible and accessible from the bus route.

Inchnadamph

Watch out for the herd of Deer as we pass Inchnadamph outdoor centre and the Hotel.

Alongside Loch Assynt

If you would prefer to take a stroll along Loch Assynt ask the driver to drop you off at the castle and pick you up at Skiach Bridge (a 10 minute stroll) as he returns from Lochinver.

Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt with Quinag in background

Lochinver

A small town but a major Fishing port. Sea food from here is exported all over Europe. If you are stopping off to explore here don't forget to visit the Pie shop and the Assynt Visitor centre or the pottery.

Kylesku

30 minute Boat trips from here to Kerracher Gardens Tuesdays Thursdays and Sundays.

Kylesku Bridge with a main span of 433ft

Scourie

The crofting village of Scourie, once a Clan Mackay stronghold, lies at the centre of the parish of Eddrachilles in North West Sutherland, and provides an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

An area famous for its remote rugged beauty, unspoilt by modern development, but with good road connections to Inverness and the East Coast, Scourie offers a wide range of services for visitors to the area.

The village also claims to be the only one in the world where, depending on the season of the year, you can see Palm Trees, Red and Black Throated Divers and Highland Cattle, from the foreshore of the bay.

Situated at the heart of Scotland's only Geopark and with a landscape formed by glacial erosion and the passage of time, the area presents a unique mixture of mountains, glens and moorland, dotted with countless lochs and lochans, famous for the immense diversity of brown trout fishing they provide for many visitors. It was in this area that Nick Hancock's TV programmee "fishing School" was filmed.

Escaping to the spectacular tranquillity of the North West Highlands, dominated by the peaks of Foinaven, Arkle, Ben Stack, Quinag, Suilven, Canisp & Ben More Assynt, is the perfect respite from the stresses of modern living.

Laxford Bridge

Laxford Bridge is a good point to start if you wish to cycle or walk South through the heart of the Highlands.

Kinlochbervie

This small village is in fact a major fishing port with the Scottish and european fishing fleet landing substantial amounts of fish from the north Atlantic for onward transport by road to France,Spain and Portugal.

Cape Wrath

Travelling along the edge of the Kyles with its clear waters and sandy shore passengers wishing to cross to Cape Wrath should ask to be dropped at the Cape Wrath Hotel road end approx 2 miles before Durness.

Durness

The small village of Durness has large sandy beaches enquire at the visitor centre for more details of the craft village hotels etc.

Smoo Cave

Leaving the village we pass the new village hall and the John Lennon Garden before arriving at Smoo Cave. Passengers for the youth hostel can be dropped off at the gate.