Day 1: Towns & Trees
Get off the train at Inverness – the official Gateway to the Highlands –and start with a walking tour. Head along Academy Street then turn left down Friars Lane to visit Old High Church, which dates back to the 15th century. From here go to Bank Street to take in views of the River Ness from Greig Street Bridge (built 1881). Head to Church St to visit Abertarff House, the earliest surviving house in Inverness (built 1593) then continue to Queensgate to admire the ornate decor (and indulge in retail therapy) at the Victorian Market. End with lunch at Leakey’s Bookshop and Cafe. Inside the converted Gaelic Church, it is jam-packed with secondhand books, maps and prints and offers tasty food and coffee.
Once you’ve had your fill, leave the city and head to the forest of Glen Affric. Home to one of the largest patches of Caledonian pine in the country, it shows a snapshot of what Scotland would have looked like centuries ago. There are plenty of walking trails here to keep you occupied for days; one of the best is the trail to Plodda Falls – stroll through the native trees to stand on a viewing platform and gawp as the water cascades 40m below your feet. Also worth a meander is the Viewpoint Trail at the Dog Falls side of the forest.
