Road to the Isles (A87), Northwest Highlands

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the best known and most photogenic of Scotland's castles. It sits on a small island in Loch Duich against the impressive background of Beinn a Chuirn. Reached by a stone causeway the castle dates from 1220 (Gaelic "eilean" = "island"). It was later taken over by the Mackenzies of Kintail and is now the seat of the McRae clan. During the Jacobite uprisings the major part of the structure was destroyed by the cannons of an English warship (1719). Restoration work did not start until 1912 and was completed in 1932. A small exhibition is devoted to the "Jacobite attempts" and the history of the clan.

Two Iron Age brochs with walls up to 32ft/10m in height are located about 12mi/19.2km west of Shiel Bridge.

The strenuous 7mi/11.2km long climb to the superb Falls of Glomach starts at the northern end of Loch Long and it will probably take at least eight hours to complete the return journey. These falls are, however, probably the most impressive in Great Britain.

Kintail and Morvich is a stretch of West Highland scenery that includes the Falls of Glomach and the Five Sisters of Kintail. On the estate you will also find the Centre at Morvich Farm, site of the Battle of Glen Shiel and the Morvich outdoor center and hostel.

A well-known 19th century geologist by the name of Donald Murchison is remembered in the memorial before Kyle of Lochalsh.

Several nature reserves by the road to Ullapool are administered by the National Trust for Scotland but it also owns the Balmacara Estate by Loch Alsh at the western end of Loch Duich. Lochalsh Woodland Garden with its exotic plants from Tasmania, Chile, Japan and China forms a part of the 5,620-acre/2,275ha estate.

Lochalsh is located at the northern terminus of the A87 on the Loch Alsh. There is a ferry to the nearby Isle of Skye.