Lochaber, Western Highlands, Argyll and Bute

The Great Glen is the rift valley which contains Loch Ness. South of it lie the Cairngorms and Speyside. The area also includes Fort William and Glencoe, Argyll and its islands, such as Mull.

This is a largely mountainous area with a very low population density. Many of the most famous Scottish glens and lochs are to be found here, and on its western edge lie the most beautiful islands and beaches. The most well-known mountain range, the Cairngorms, which is encompassed in the Cairngorms National Park, is dramatic, huge and imposing, offering sport during all seasons.

Roads traverse this area, enabling visitors to tour to some of Scotland's most evocative and hauntingly beautiful places.

Wildlife abounds, from huge herds of red deer to the white mountain hares which can be seen on the mountain slopes in winter.

Visitors are well catered for in all seasons and there are several water sports centres of which to take advantage.

Inverness lies at the most northerly part of this area and is well worth a visit to experience a city which has dolphins in its firths!

Oban on the west coast has been a tourist mecca since Victorian days and still draws the crowds to its pretty harbour, diverse shops and seafood restaurants.

Head out to the west on 'The Road to the Isles', passing through Glenfinnan and on to Mallaig, where you can sail to the small isles of Rhum, Muck and Eigg, or to Skye.

Fly/Drive
Depending on where you are staying, you can either fly to Inverness airport or Glasgow airport and hire a car from the airport base. Glasgow to Oban is a one and three-quarter hour drive through some of the most magnificent scenery.

Travel by road: There are good A roads all through this area, although the B roads are almost always single track with passing places. On these single track roads it is important that you allow following traffic to overtake, so pull into the nearest passing place on your left.

Ferries:
Oban to Outer Hebrides, Mull, Lismore
Mallaig to Skye, Rhum, Muck and Eigg

Weather: Can be extreme from 30 degrees C in summer to -26 degrees C in winter. The main A9 trunk road through to Inverness is rarely closed and is patrolled by snow ploughs and gritters through the winter months. The western side of the area gets the least snow.