Scotland
First-hand Scotland nature and accommodation guides covering Drumbeg, Assynt, Handa Island, wildlife, quiet coastal roads and practical trip planning.
Our Scotland stories begin in northwest Sutherland, where narrow roads lead to small coastal villages, wildlife appears close to home and the weather continually remakes the view.
These are first-hand accounts of where we stayed, what we saw and the planning details we would want to know before returning.
Where we stayed
A tiny Assynt village, a quieter single-track road and a cottage with views that changed by the hour. Our honest stay review includes the wildlife, the owners and where to buy supplies.
Read the Drumbeg stay guide
Wildlife day
One distant puffin, immense seabird colonies, skuas on the moorland and unforgettable sandstone cliffs.
Read the Handa Island guidePlan with the real details
What a remote Assynt stay actually feels like, including road access, local facilities and the trade-off for those remarkable views.
What we saw, what we missed and why May would be our choice for a better chance of seeing Handa's puffins.
When a village shop is enough, when Lochinver is the practical option and why Ullapool works best when it is already on your route.