Way Up West

As a gateway to the Western Isles, Ullapool is an enticing little harbour town many pass through but wish they could linger in for longer.

Once a heart-rending point of departure to the New World for the displaced during the Highland Clearances, it is these days dotted with welcoming pubs and cafes, a museum and genealogy centre, and community-run art gallery.

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En-route is Rogie Falls, an often-overlooked beauty spot with a series of waterfalls cascading through lovely surroundings. You can also visit Corrieshalloch Gorge, one of the natural wonders of the Highlands, carved by a dramatic flux of meltwater during the last Ice Age.

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There is time for a tour and tipple at the renowned Glen Ord Distillery*, while the route can be tweaked to take in other delights such as the marvels of the mild micro-climate at nearby Inverewe Gardens or the unforgettable single-track road meandering through Glen Torridon’s misty peaks to Kinlochewe and Achnasheen villages.

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*Admission fees for exhibitions is extra.