Torridon is home to some of Scotland’s most magnificent mountain panoramas and a paradise for hikers, climbers and nature lovers. It is also worth stopping for a couple of days while driving the North Coast 500 around northern Scotland.

Kilmartin is famous for its density of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland. Its fascinating archaeology attracts many history lovers. Beside history attraction, the area within The Heart of Argyll offers some beautiful short forestry walks. You can find one of them at Crinan. This trail starts from picturesque Crinan Harbour and ascends to Castle Dounie, an Iron Age Fort on a high hilltop above Crinan. There are panoramic views over the Crinan basin and across the sound to Jura and Scarba, divided by the famous Gulf of Corryvreckan and its whirlpool.

One of my favourite off-grid parts of Scotland is the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the west coast. It is remote, unspoilt with excellent scenery, which makes it one of the best scenic drives in Scotland.

The Isle of Skye in Scotland is with its dramatic landscapes surrounded by water and easy approachability from the mainland, one of the most popular areas in the UK. To avoid the crowds at the iconic sites and to enjoy Skye’s extraordinary landscape, you can choose a lesser known, beautiful hike to the Macleod’s Maidens.