Mary's Loch Info, Scotland

Loch Ness is undeniably one of the most famous lakes in the world. It is also, certainly, a place of outstanding natural beauty, but it has to be admitted that the world wide fame of Loch Ness owes more to the legend of its famous occupant, the Loch Ness Monster - or 'Nessie' - than the breathtaking location of the loch itself.

Nairn has been a spa holiday town for well over a hundred years with beautiful beaches and even its own "micro-climate", said to be even sunnier and warmer than places just a few miles away, such as Inverness; visit Nairn's harbour and view its yachts or take a boat trip offshore to see the only place in Scotland with a resident dolphin population.

Beauly, is a town of the Scottish county of Highland, on the River Beauly, 10 miles west of Inverness by the Far North railway line. Its population was measured as 855 in 1901. The town is now within the Highland council area.

Torridon is a small village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. However the name is also applied to the area surrounding the village, particularly the Torridon Hills, mountains to the north of Glen Torridon.

Forres, is a town and former royal burgh situated in the north of Scotland on the Moray coast, approximately 30 miles east of Inverness. Forres has been a winner of the Scotland in Bloom award on several occasions. There are many geographical and historical attractions nearby such as the River Findhorn, and there are many historical artifacts and monuments within the town itself.

Loch Kishorn is a sea loch in the north-west Highlands of Scotland, separating the Applecross peninsula from the Lochcarron area. It is about 1.5 km wide, and 4 km long. There is a cluster of small islands at the mouth of the loch, the largest of which is Kishorn Island.

Lochcarron is a village in Wester Ross, Highland, Scotland.

Ullapool is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland.

Gairloch makes a perfect holiday base, and is an ideal spot for hill walking, birdwatching, fishing, or just relaxing. It has a 9-hole golf course, safe sandy beaches, and is close to the beautiful National Trust garden at Inverewe. Gairloch has its own award-winning Heritage Museum, a library, shops and galleries, and a wide choice of places to eat and drink during the summer season.

Loch Duich is a sea loch situated on the western coast of Scotland, in the Highlands.

Inverness is the HISTORIC CITY at the heart of the Highlands of Scotland. It is also one of the FASTEST GROWING TOWNS IN Europe.

Poolewe is about 75 miles (120 km) north-west from Inverness, Scotland. It is a tiny, neat village snuggled in the sheltered haven of Loch Ewe where the shortest river in Scotland, the River Ewe, joins the sea less than a mile from Inverewe Garden, renowned world-wide for its subtropical plants. The village is picturesquely situated surrounded by mountains and the sea.

Aultbea is a small fishing village in the North-West Highlands of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ewe.

The historic town of Cullen lies in the east of Moray and is central to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Peterhead lies to the east and Aberdeen to the south. Cullen offers spectacular views across the Moray, Firth with a wonderful expanse of beach and visiting seals and dolphins.

Keith is a small town in the northeast of Scotland. The oldest part of Keith dates to around 1180.

Nigg Bay is an extensive area of mudflat, saltmarsh and wet grassland on the Cromarty Firth. A small sandy beach of Abereen City Council area. Nigg Bay lies between the headlands of Girdle Ness and Greg Ness.

Opinan is situated on the North-West Coast of the Highlands of Scotland. Close to Greenstone Point and Gruinard Bay. We have lovely sandy beaches interspersed with rugged sea cliffs. Ideal for walking, birdwatching and enjoyng a quiet relaxing holiday.

Strathpeffer is situated in the heart of the Highlands, to the west of The Cromarty Firth and the Black Isle. Perfect for taking advantage of the East Coast amenities and the wild scenery of Wester Ross. Local amenities include Strathpeffer's own 18 hole golf course, said by many to be one of the most picturesque in Britain. Trips are available to secluded hill lochs, teeming with wild brown trout. Local estates offer game shooting and deer stalking and the local wild fowling is of the highest standard. For walkers, there are any number of routes of varying difficulty, to allow all to see the magnificence of the Highlands.

Tongue is in the heart of the Mackay country and is situated on the North Coast of the beautiful Scottish Highlands; midway between Cape Wrath and John O'Groats, and also between the challenging golf links at Durness and Reay. Bird and wildlife watchers are also well catered for and need not travel far from Rhian to enjoy their hobby. Red, roe and muntjac deer, otters and pine-martens have also been spotted nearby. Other activities available in the area include horse riding on idyllic beaches, ceilidh dancing classes, swimming pool and leisure centre, island boat trips, photographic safaris, craft shops, Strathnaver Museum (Clan Mackay room) and historical walks to trace the Clearances.