Top 10 by Michelle and Angus from London

 

"It was amazing to see the beautiful seals in their natural habitat!"

 

The picturesque Badcall Bay, located just south of Scourie in Sutherland, is home to a large fishing station. This wonderful bay offers the chance to catch a glimpse of seals in their natural habitat making it well worth a visit.

 

 

"The Tartan Heart Festival was brilliant for both up and coming and established alternative music and it takes place only a few miles out of Inverness!"

 

This family friendly festival is described as 'home grown heaven in the Highlands', incorporating everything from comedy to ceilidh as well as music from some of Scotland's best rock and pop bands. The Tartan Heart Festival gets bigger every year but manages to retain the intimate and fun vibe that makes it such a resounding success.

 

"Our luxury ski resort in Aviemore was so near the ski centres, it felt like we were in the Alps!"

 

The Cairngorm mountain range possesses the enviable reputation as one of the most beautiful and challenging places to ski in the UK. Boasting Scotland’s only funicular railway, you can absorb spectacular alpine scenery before embarking on the descent. Find out more about skiing in Scotland.

 

"Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland’s most photographed castle, is surprisingly stunning in real life. It even looks amazing in the rain!"

 

Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich on the road to Skye is one of Scotland’s many iconic castles. A ruin for 200 years, it was restored and opened to the public in 1955 and now boasts a visitor centre, café and gift shop.

 

"It was a real surprise to find the buzz of RockNess festival amongst the beautiful and normally tranquil surroundings of the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness!"

 

Rockness is described by many as one of the most scenic festival in the world, set on the beautiful banks of Loch Ness. In recent years, acts like Manic Street Preachers, Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, Kasabian, Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada have all featured. Furthermore, Rockness proudly proclaims to be the only music festival with its own monster!

 

"Landmark Forest Adventure Park had so much to offer. It’s a great family centre with many adventure activities, a play park, and treetop walks all in the forest nearby Carrbridge."

 

Thrill-seekers will love the Landmark Forest Adventure Park where you can experience the ultimate adventure. Fall through the air as you step off the SkyDive platform set 50ft above ground in the pine canopy of the forest. There is also a runaway timber train, wild forest maze and wild water coaster, making for a great family day out. 

 

"We were astonished to find that, at its deepest point, Loch Ness could fit Big Ben almost three times standing head to tail!"

 

Loch Ness owes its reputation as one of the world’s most famous stretches of water due to its legendary sea creature, the Loch Ness Monster. Shrouded in an air of mystery and intrigue that is hard to match anywhere else, Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s most atmospheric locations. In the autumn months, the surrounding landscapes burst into hues of gold, russet and red.

 

 

"We had no idea that no other mountain in the UK comes closer than 300 metres of Ben Nevis’ summit."

 

If you’re looking for an adventure, there is none greater than the hike to Ben Nevis summit, either with friends via the ‘tourist’ path or by hiring a guide and tackling a more challenging route via the Carn Mor Dearg arête. It’s a long day but thoroughly rewarding – after all, who could pass up the chance to conquer the highest mountain in the UK?

 

"We caught The West Highland Way railway line from Fort William to Mallaig and it was breathtaking, but somehow enhanced when we found that this was the very line and steam train that transported Harry Potter to Hogwarts!"

 

Relax aboard the train as you travel through incredible landscapes, and cross the grand viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films, a definite highlight of the journey to Mallaig. Look out towards the incredible sight of the iconic Glenfinnan Monument, a towering memorial to the Jacobites at the head of Loch Shiel.

 

"Getting transported by huskies at the Cairngorm Sled Dog Centre was an experience that was as surprising as it was special."

 

The Cairngorm Sled Dog Centre is the only working sleddog centre in the UK and only one of five in Europe. Located in Aviemore, at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountain Range, it offers a wide range of family activities including sleddog trips, safaris and kennel and museum tours.