Luxury self-catering accommodation in Ross-shire

Upon the western tip of Scotland, Ross-shire stretches cross-country from the Atlantic coast to the North Sea, its craggy interior challenging the best hikers keen to scale its mighty Northwest Highlands. Luckily, there is much to do for those without a head for heights: a browse around the market town of Dingwall is a good starting point, in particular, its museum, housed in an old tollbooth dating back to 1730. This scenic town maintains its old red-stone buildings and provides a useful stocking-up point for those heading up a mountain or towards a loch.

On the other side of Ross-shire, Loch Ewe's sparkly expanse is well known. Poolewe is the tiny town that many walks pass through or start from, and since you have made it all the way up here, a stop at Inverewe Garden should be high on the list. This most northerly sub-tropical garden has unexpected delights, like towering California redwoods, Himalayan blue poppies and rare Wollemi pines. Scotland is popular with golf-lovers, and Ross-shire has its fair share of courses. Tee off if you can tear your eyes away from the expansive, romantic views.