Lonely Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN:
  9781788681766
• Print ISBN:
  9781786572868

Southern Highlands & Islands

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Loch Lomond

Crianlarich & Tyndrum

Arrochar

The Trossachs

South Argyll

Cowal

Bute

Inveraray

Crinan Canal

Kilmartin Glen

Kintyre

Islay

Jura

Colonsay

Arran

Brodick & Around

Corrie to Lochranza

Lochranza

West Coast

South Coast

Lamlash

Oban, Mull, Iona & Tiree

Oban

Around Oban

Mull

Iona

Tiree

Coll

North Argyll

Loch Awe

Connel & Taynuilt

Southern Highlands & Islands

Why Go?

The impossibly complex coastline of Scotland’s southwest harbours some of its most inspiring corners. Here, sea travel is key – dozens of ferries allow you to island-hop from the scenic splendour of Arran to majestic Mull or Tiree’s lonely sands, via the whisky distilleries of Islay, the wild mountains of Jura, the scenic delights of diminutive Colonsay and Oban’s sustainable seafood scene.

On fresh water too, passenger ferries, vintage steamboats, canoes and kayaks ply Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, a memorable concentration of scenery that’s very accessible but possessed of a wild beauty.

Wildlife experiences are a highlight here, from the rasping spout of a minke whale to the ‘krek-krek’ of a corncrake. Spot otters tumbling in the kelp, watch sea eagles snatch fish from a lonely loch and thrill to the sight of dolphins riding the bow-wave of your boat.

When to Go

• May Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival) celebrates traditional Scottish music and whisky.
• Jun Roadsides and gardens become a blaze of colour with deep-pink rhododendron blooms.
• Aug The best month of the year for whale watching off the west coast.

Best Places to Eat

ANinth Wave

ACafé Fish

ACallander Meadows

AStarfish

AEe-Usk

Best Places to Stay

AMonachyle Mhor

ACalgary Farmhouse

AIona Hostel

AHighland Cottage

AKnap Guest House

AGlenartney

Southern Highlands & Islands Highlights

1 The Trossachs Exploring the lovely lochscapes and accessible walking and cycling routes.

2 Islay Visiting the smoky heavyweights of the whisky world on their peaty turf.

3 Arran Blowing away the cobwebs on this scenic, a...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Scotland’s Highlands & Islands
• Scotland’s Highlands & Islands’ Top 19
• Need to Know
• If You Like...
• Month by Month
• Itineraries
• Activities
• Regions at a Glance
• Southern Highlands & Islands
• Scottish Castles
• Walking the West Highland Way
• Inverness & the Central Highlands
• Lochs & Mountains
• Northern Highlands & Islands
• Scotland’s Islands
• Orkney & Shetland
• Scotland’s Highlands & Islands Today
• History
• Highland Culture
• Landscapes & Wildlife
• Food & Drink
• Directory A-Z
• Transport
• Glossary
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers