Places to Visit in The Highlands of Scotland
58The Scottish Highlands are a beautiful place to visit. There are plenty of different places to go and tings to do. Whether you like just looking at scenery or enjoy visiting historical sites there is something for everyone.
The culture of the area is influenced by its often violent history, strong cultural heritage, and the Gaelic language.
Due to the sparseness of its population the Highlands are a great place for wildlife. Many different species thrive in the vast and varied landscape and climate.
The history of the highlands is visible in its landscape with the remains of Ancient cairns, stone settings, Defensive round towers called brochs, caved symbol stones left by the Picts.
Place names tell the story of the past rulers from the Vikings and the Norse.
Lets now start our tour of the Highlands and its attractions.
Lets start our journey in the Northern Highlands.
John o'Groats
This is the northern most point on the UK mainland.
Things to see and do in John o'Groats
Near the John o'Groats House Hotel a mound marks the site where Jan de Groot the founder of John o'Groatsbuilt his famous octagonal house. This house had 8 doors and an octagonal table so that no one occupied its head. Jan de Groot ran a ferry from the mainland to Orkney charging a 'groat' (2p) a trip.
He was buried in Canisbay churchyard where his tombstone can be seen, now moved to inside the entrance porch for protection against the weather.
Over a period of time the name Jan de Groot has subsequently changed to John O'Groats.
Take a day trip to the Orkney Islands or see local wildlife on a boat trip.
There are three companies who do the wildlife tours.
If you like walking/Hiking then try the 6km round trip east along the north coast to Duncansby Head Lighthouse and then on to The Stacks of Duncansby.
If you are interested in History and or the Royal Family then you should visit the The Castle and Gardens ofMey. 6 miles outside John o'Groats it is a former residence of the late Queen Mother.
They have held Visit Scotland's highest award of a 5 Star quality assurance grading since their first unannounced visit in 2007.
