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TOP 20 ATTRACTIONS IN THE HIGHLANDS
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The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Glenmore
Aviemore
PH22 1QU
 The centre is a unique experience. Accompany the reindeer herder out onto the hillside where the reindeer graze in their natural environment. These quiet friendly animals are a delight to all ages. Learn the facts and the fiction about the reindeer at the centre where you can visit Santa's Bothy, his reindeer paddocks and our unique reindeer shop. You can wanders freely among the friendly reindeer and stroke and feed them.
Hours: May - Oct 10:00 - 17:00
Details: 01479 861 228
Culloden
5 miles East of Inverness
The National Trust are currently trying to restore this historic battlefield to it's original state in 1746 by rebuilding turf and stone dykes which played an important part in the military strategy on the day. In 1746 this field saw the last land battle fought in Britain between the Jocobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Hanvoverian army of the Duke of Cumberland who successfully managed to massacre the Princes men in just over an hour. One thousand two hundred men were killed and the Prince, realising defeat, fled. The dead were buried in mass graves on the battlefield and the clan system and Highland culture was practically destroyed.
Price: Adult £3.20 Child £2.20 Family £8.80
Hours: Apr - Oct 9:00 - 18:00; rest of the year 10:00 - 16:00
Details: 01463 790 607
Eilean Donan Castle
Dornie
Eilean Donan Castle is possibly one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. Built in 1220 by Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings, the castle was to later become the stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail, the Earls of Seaforth. Located on the banks of Loch Duich in Wester Ross it is nearly impossible to find a word to describe its beauty.
Price: Adult £3.75 Child £2.75 Family £9.00
Hours: Apr - 1st Nov 10:00 - 18:00
Details: 01599 555 202
The Glenmorangie Distillery Tour
Tain
Ross-shire
The name Glenmorangie means 'Glen of Tranquillity', which is a particularly good description for its calm and scenic location. The distillery was licensed in 1843, and has since built an outstanding reputation at home and abroad. The tour introduces the visitor to the natural elements and the time-honoured traditional skills which make Glenmorangie so special, the uniquely hard mineral rich water rising from the Tarlogie Springs, the gleaming swan-neck copper stills, the tallest in the Highlands and the casks of American oak. In the visitor centre you can learn about the heritage of Glenmorangie and purchase some of the fine Whisky that was made in the distillery you just walked through.
Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 17:00 daily; June - August Sat 9:00 - 16:00, Sun 12:00 - 16:00
Details: 01862 892 477
Highland Mysteryworld
Near Glencoe
Fort William
PA39 4HL
 Explore the Highlands through new eyes as you journey back in time to the world of bogles, kelpies and fachns. Enter the mysterious stone circle to meet visitors from long ago who will tell you amazing tales of Scotland's legendary past. Experience the riddles of the serpents' cavern where the Blue Man of the Minch and other legends come alive. Re-awaken your awareness of ancient herbal lore within the mossy realm of the Clootie Well.
Price: Adult £4.95 Child £3.50 Family £14.00
Hours: Easter - Oct 10:00 - 14:30
Details: 01855 811 660
Hugh Millers Cottage
Cromarty
North east of Inverness
Hugh Millar, who died at the age of 54, led an extraordinary life as a stonemason, bank accountant, geologist, church reformer, journalist and author. The remarkable story of Hugh is told in this cottage where he was born. Miller's personal belongings are on display including his geological hammer, his microscope, his mason's mallet and beautiful fossil collection. There is a video that charts the achievements of this self-taught man.
Hours: 1st May - 30th Sep Mon - Sat 11:00 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00
Details: 01381 600 245
Inverewe Garden
Poolewe
Ross-shire
IV22 2LQ
Inverewe is a must for all garden lovers. Enjoy the outstanding plant collections from all four corners of the world, including spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees and shrubs. The garden enjoys a spectacular setting on the shores of Loch Ewe and, on a latitude more northerly than Moscow, it provides an inspirational, peaceful and rewarding experience for those to whom plants are an essential element of life.
Hours: 15th Mar - 31st Oct 9:30 - 21:00; 1st Nov - 14th Mar 9:30 - 17:00
Details: 01445 781 200
Inverness Aquadome
Bught Park
Inverness
IV3 5SS
If you are looking for a family fun day out or a top class-swimming venue, you'll find them all at Inverness Aquadome. Swim through and join the Drifter Lazy River, past the bubbling geysers and on into the Wave Lagoon. Relax with the ebb and flow and listen to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach shallows. Lie back in the poolside spa where the warm jets of water complete your visit to Inverness Aquadome. For swimmers looking for that extra action, the flume rides offer thrills and spills galore and bring a whole new dimension to nerve-tingling action.
Details: 01463 667 500
Jocibite Cruises Loch Ness
Tomnahurich Bridge
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5TD
Unwind amongst some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery on a Jocobite Cruise along the Caledonian Canal and on to Loch Ness. Combined coach and cruise trips are also available. You'll revel in the freedom of uncrowded waterways as you are carried through some of Scotland's most beautiful open country. Light refreshments are available on board, and there's a fully licensed bar where you can enjoy a drink while you cruise. To complete the experience, do a bit of Nessie spotting - you could go home with a monster tale to tell.
Hours: 26th April - 25th Sep. Several journeys every day.
Details: 01463 233 999
John o' Groats
North of Wick
Named after Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who ran a ferry service from here to Orkney, which was commissioned by King James IV. Famously known for people walking from here to 'Lands End' in Cornwall, which is in South England. The harbour still has a boat that takes passengers across the Pentland Firth during the summer to Orkney.
Price: free
Hours: Information service, Apr - Oct
Details: 01955 611 373
Kilmorack Gallery
The Old Kilmorack Church
By Beauly
Inverness-shire
IV4 7AL
For the best art in the Highlands visit the Kilmorack Gallery. It is housed in a beautiful 18th Century church which retains most of its original features and provides the perfect setting for contemporary art. The gallery specialises in showing the work of the Highland's top artist's, the exhibitions show the quality and the diversity of talent that exists in the North.
Hours: 11:00 - 17:30 (except Wednesday)
Details: 01463 783 230
Loch Ness
Drumnadrochit
 A few miles west of Inverness the Great Glen opens up to reveal the dark, mysterious expanse of Loch Ness - one of the world's most famous attractions. At over 750 feet deep, which is deeper than the North Sea, and 23 miles long, so a monster could live in there unnoticed by us all, couldn't it? For information on The Monster, visit the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Center, home of the authoritative exhibition on the mysterious phenomenon of Loch Ness. There is a 40-minute audio-visual display that tells you about the history of the monster and all the main sightings of it, you never know maybe you will be the next one to see the great beast and be added to the list. For more details call 01456 450 573. Do not despair if you don't get to see the monster as the scenery surrounding the Loch should make up for it as it is so peaceful and you will immediately fall in love with it.
Moniack Castle
Inverness
IV5 7PQ
There are ten country wines and liqueurs together with a delicious range of twenty marmalades, sauces and preserves available to sample and enjoy. Philippa Fraser, who started the winery in 1979, carefully supervises the work. The wines and preserves reflect the natural ingredients growing around Moniack Castle. For centuries people have been making wines from wild flowers, fruits and tree sap. This tradition is carried on at Moniack. The castle was built in 1580 and the Frasers have lived there ever since, the family runs the business, Philippa and her two sons, Rory and Kit, with the help of the local people. On the guided tour, you will get the chance to see the fermenting room, the filtering process, bottling and labelling, then pass through to the kitchen and watch the cooking of the preserves and sauces.
Details: 01463 831 283
Monster Activities
Great Glen Water Park
South Laggan
By Spean Bridge
Inverness-shire
PH34 4EA
A must do location for those seeking an all action break. With plenty to do you will be going home with a new fit body and a lot of wild memories. There is white water rafting, canoeing, speedboat activities, mountain biking, target sports, rock climbing, abseiling, sailing, windsurfing, hill walking, ski-ing and so much more. There are lodges available to let on site so if you want to try them all there will be a handy lodge near by to relax those muscles. The instructors are there to make sure you get the most out of your holiday (and your body) and to ensure safety amongst all visitors.
Details: 01809 501 381 Leisure Centre; 01320 366 233 Office & Evenings
Northern Lights Candles
Beauly
4 miles from Inverness
A range of decorative candles, all handmade on the premises and very reasonable prices. Visitors are welcome to watch staff making the candles and the different styles that they use.
Hours: Easter - Christmas Mon - Fri 12:00 - 18:00; July - Sep 10:00 - 19:00 daily
Details: 01463 831 332
Peter Tyler Woodturner & Carver
Milton of Tordarroch
Dunchity
Farr
Inverness
IV1 2 XF
The shop stocks an interesting range of locally hand-made craftwork. These items complement the simple interior of the stone built steading and include willow basketwork, ceramic and semi precious stone jewellery. The main lathe is positioned next to a viewing window in the gable end of the workshop, so that visitors may watch whenever woodturning is being carried out.
Hours: Easter - Christmas Tue - Sat 10:00 - 17:30
Details: 01808 521 414
Scottish Showtime
Cummings Hotel
Church Street
Inverness
Go and enjoy a great night out for the whole family, Scottish hospitality at its best. Sit back and let them entertain you with Scotland's longest running show, which has been thrilling and delighting audiences for the past 25 years. This professional production is a fast moving and colourful spectacle, a perfect blend of a typical Highland ceilidh, and a Scottish variety show. Traditional song, dance and music laced with magical humour and performed by a superb cast of Scotland's finest entertainers. Scottish Showtime is guaranteed to be Highland holiday highlight.
Details: 0800 028 0538
Torridan
Wester Ross
Here you can climb on Torridonian sandstone some 750 million years old on the enormous bulk of Liathach, which has seven tops, and the massif of Beinn Alligin. In addition to their scenic splendour, these mountains attract geologists and naturalists from all over the world. A Trust Countryside Centre with an audio-visual presentation on scenery and wildlife is sited at the junction of the A896 and the Diabaig road. A Deer Museum and herds of red deer and highland cattle are nearby.
Hours: 1st May - 30th Sep Mon - Sat 10:00 - 17:00, Sun 14:00 - 17:00
Details: 01445 791 221
Vertical Descents
Inchree Falls
Fort Williams
PH33 6SD
The Canyoning descent of Inchree Falls is not to be missed. This is the ultimate adventure activity, newly available in Scotland. The falls offer an amazing, continuous watercourse of natural slides, flumes, jumps and eye opening abseils. If that sounds a bit too much for you, don't worry, you can abseil, mountain bike or have a go at Fun Yakking which is a cross between a raft and a kayak and you will be guided down one of the various rivers in the area. Leading you in pairs you shall overcome rapids by using you newly found skills in the inflatable boats.
Price: Canyoning: £30, Fun Yakking: £35
Details: 01855 821 593
Waltzing Waters
Balavil Brae Newtonmore
Inverness-shire
The world's most elaborate water, light and music production. It is like nothing you have ever seen before, a triumph of artistry and engineering. Visitors are overwhelmed by thousands of dazzling patterns of moving water synchronised with music in spectacular fashion. Experienced in a modern, comfortable and fully seated theatre, this production is an entertainment that you will never forget. The very first of its kind in Scotland. So if you are looking for something entirely new in entertainment, don't miss this unique show.
Price: Adult £4.00 Child £1.50
Hours: 1st Feb - 5th Dec 45 Minute shows on the hour every hour between 10:00 and 16:00; 22nd Mar - 31st Oct there is a 17:00 and a 20:30 show
Details: 01540 673 752
Click on any of the categories below to find detailed local information:
REGIONAL INTRODUCTION GOLF WINING & DINING
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