Touring the west highlands of Scotland - recommended day tours and trips

Lochaber is at the heart of big country touring in Scotland at its very best.

Sensational  routes abound, to be enjoyed by car, by motor bike, by cycle.

Here’s a snapshot of our favourites, all easy day trips:

1.  Loch Ness and Inverness, via Urquhart Castel – optional return via Aviemore and Monarch Country.

2. Fort William and Glencoe – Scotland’s greatest and most spectacular glen.

3. Ardnamurchan – cross south of Fort William on the Corran Ferry and explore an outstandingly beautiful area.

4. Oban and Lorn – a wee bit longer but a superb and easy day trip – go via Appin, return via Dalmally and Glencoe.

5. The Road to the Isles, Mallaig and Bonnie Prince Charlie (jacobite) Country – a must do.

6. The Isles of Skye, Rum, Eigg and Muck – an hour from the hotel takes you to ferries and very special day pleasure cruises, with whale watching a feature.

7. The Jacobite Railway (in season) – a glorious steam train journey recently immortalised with Harry potter.

8. The West Highland Line (all year round) – to Oban, to Rannoch, to Glenfinnan Viaduct and Mallaig – one of the world’s greatest railway journeys.

9. Kintail, Lochalsh and Plockton – this is a very spectacular trip via Invergarry past Cluanie to the 5 Sisters, Eilean Donan castle and the beautiful palm tree clad village of Plockton.

10. Laggan and Monarch Country – nice and easy – enjoy all the special atmosphere of the famous TV programme.

11. Cairngorms and Cairngorm National Park – via Monarch County then north to Scotland’s newest (and most controversial) National Park.

12. Pitlochry – again best approached from Monarch Country then south via famous Drumochter Pass, via Blair Castle, Killiecrankie and the House of Bruar.