Inverness

See the Highland Capital, its Castle and Cathedral.

Learn some of its fascinating history and visit the hill where Saint Columba made pilgrimage to the Pictish King, preaching “new Christianity” to the warrior Brude in his hill fortress around 550AD.

Appreciate the strategic significance of the town to the sea and understand the various fortifications by Oliver Cromwell, and in turn the British Army, whose government forces have garrisoned the town from Jacobite times to the present day.

Motor past Tomnahurich Hill then down the mouth of the Great Glen to Loch Ness. Visit Urquhart Castle steeped in history, myth and monster legend. Take the opportunity, if so inclined, to do a bit of “Monster Spotting.”

Wonder at the geographic fault that divides the Highlands and glimpse the remarkable engineering feat of the Caledonian Canal, enabled by the Lochs that host its coast to coast passage.

At this point you have the option of returning to Inverness via Fort Augustus and the South shore of Loch Ness, taking in the impressive Falls of Foyers, or continuing Northwards from Drumnadrochit over Culnakirk Hill down into Beauly with its 13th Century Priory.