Scotland's Secret Forgotten Wilderness

I grew up in the highlands of Scotland. I played golf, fished, camped, and hiked all over this area in all kinds of weather. We say, there is no bad weather in Scotland, you just wear the wrong clothes.

Shieldaig Bay lies in Wester Ross, the north west corner of the Scottish Highlands, spread roughly between the Isle of Skye to the south and Ullapool to the north. Since 2015 when the launch of the North Coast 500, a 516 mile scenic road tour of the Highlands from Inverness, its delights have loomed a little larger on the tourist map, increasing the trickle of camper vans and convertibles or so my family tells me. This trip we set off with a rucksack packed with a smashing lunch up Flowerdale Glen. A broad track winds past Flowerdale House, seat of the Mackenzies since 1738 .

Wester Ross has a lot of interesting wildlife. My binoculars found two red deer stags, and a couple of eagles. I always see a minke whale feeding just off the point, and a passing porpoise.

Its lovely to hear the skylarks and cuckoos, and barely another soul in sight. This is one of the most peaceful places I know.

I recommend you go to the charming Gairloch Museum to learn about the Torridon sandstone and the bloodthirsty clan feuds. I always grin when I remember my granny - a Macdonald - telling me that the only good Campbell, is in a tin.

You can find some lovely bed and breakfast places in the highlands, and always have a pint in the local pub. I dream of a shandy - half beer and half lemonade. This is off the beaten track, but worth it.

Visit wester-ross.com

Maureen Jones

Travel Consultant

650-961-2340