Discover 111 hidden gems and places of 'rugged beauty' in new Scottish Highlands guidebook

It doesn’t matter if you live in the area, or are visiting for the first time.

Whatever your situation, the new book 111 Places in the Scottish Highlands that You Shouldn’t Miss is sure to offer a new idea or two.

It was written by Northumberland-based photographer and writer, David Taylor, as a release in the 111 series of books, which have also included destinations including Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Yorkshire and Bath.

We spoke to the author about putting the book together.

When did you fall in love with the Scottish Highlands?

Scotland was a regular destination for family holidays when I was a child, though we rarely went much further north than Ayrshire. It wasn’t until I attended a photography workshop based at Inversnaid that I discovered the Highlands. I thought then (and still think) that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are beautiful. However, it was my first drive across Rannoch Moor on the A82 that really made an impression. Rannoch was hauntingly wild and wonderful, and then the mighty (and very photogenic) Buachaille Etive Mòr slid into view. I suspect my mouth dropped open at that point. That was when I fell in love with the Highlands.

Have you ever lived in that area, or has it always been Northumberland?

I was born and grew up in Newcastle and have lived in Hexham, Northumberland, since my twenties. I’ve never lived in the Scottish Highlands but it is something I’m seriously considering. The problem I have is that I can’t decide exactly where.

What was the process of researching the book like and how long did it take?

I started with locations that I either knew from experience or had heard of. After that I poured over maps of the Highlands to look for interesting places that could be covered in the book. Once I had my 111 places, I plotted them on a Google map and then figured out how many trips I’d need to shoot them all, and in what order. It was like a military campaign. I eventually made six trips of roughly a week per trip in 2023 and early 2024 to shoot the photos, driving over three thousand miles in total.

What were the real hidden gems that were found on the way?

I thought I knew the Highlands. I was wrong! This meant that the book was a voyage of discovery, which was challenging at times but also thoroughly enjoyable. One thing I knew very little about was the Clearances, the (usually) forced expulsion of Highlanders from their ancestral lands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Families who were moved off Glencalvie estate in 1845 briefly sheltered in the grounds of nearby Croick Church. While camping there, many scratched their names or short messages onto the windows of the church. It’s a long drive to get to the church, but it’s worth the effort to see such a moving and tangible message from history.

What is your favourite of the 111 attractions?

The dinosaur footprints on Skye’s An Corran beach are my favourite place that I included in the book. They can only be seen at low tide and are hard to find even then. When I did find them – and it took two attempts and help from a local! – I thought they were astonishing. They are trace fossils made roughly 170 million years ago during the Jurassic Period by a Megalosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur that looked not unlike a slightly smaller Tyrannosaurus Rex. What really captured my imagination was the fact that at that period in Earth’s history our ancestors were just tiny and insignificant shrew-like creatures.

The Wee Hoose on Loch Shin | David Taylor

Were there any that had to be cut that you wish you could’ve included?

There were a good number of places that I really wanted to include but had to cut for reasons of space. Perhaps the most poignant of those missing locations is the Witch’s Stone in Dornoch. This commemorates the last execution of a witch in Scotland. In 1727, poor Janet Horne was accused of witchcraft by her neighbours, who claimed she had attempted to turn her daughter into a donkey. She was tried and found guilty and, after being paraded through the streets of Dornoch, was burnt alive for her ‘crime’. The stone is now in someone’s garden, though you can view it from the gate.

Are you a fan of travel books in general, and have any inspired you?

I am a big fan of travel books. Perhaps it’s my sense of humour but I do really enjoy reading about a travel experience that somehow failed to go to plan. I return again and again to Bill Bryson’s books for this reason. He writes about his misadventures as a traveller, as he knows that this usually makes a compelling (and funny) story. Generally things went smoothly while writing the book. However, one bizarre thing that went wrong was having my glasses whipped from my face by strong winds while photographing Sango Bay near Durness. They vanished into the dunes never to be seen again (at least not by me). Fortunately, I had a spare pair of glasses in the glove box of my car, otherwise that could have been a very interesting and tricky drive home.

Do you prefer a trip to the Highlands, to a visit to somewhere hot and sunny?

I would always take a trip to the Highlands over a trip to somewhere hot and sunny. I’m not comfortable when it’s warm. Even British summers can be too hot for me. I’d happily return to the Highlands at any time of year, whatever the weather. Some of my favourite days in the Highlands have been when the weather was changeable, as you’re more likely to get interesting and dramatic light in these conditions. The key is to dress appropriately and keep in mind the hot meal you’ll have at the end of the day.

Loch Katrine | David Taylor

As a photographer, what are the most picturesque spots in the Highlands?

Where to start! I’m very keen on shooting coastlines, so the west coast of Scotland is high on my list. I’m starting to lose count of the number of times I’ve been to Ullapool but I’m alwayskeen to return. The Coigach peninsula is a particular favourite of mine, and I’ve spent many happy hours at Achnahaird Bay. There you can find sand and rock formations, as well as a wonderful view across to the mountains of Assynt. What more could a photographer want from a place?

111 Places in the Scottish Highlands That You Shouldn’t Miss, £13.99, 111 Books , www.111places.com