Ones not to miss

With so much to offer the visitor, how do you select the best places to visit during your travels in this wonderful country? Liz Pickering selects 10 of the best.

A northern retreat Nestled around a harbour on the northeast coast of Scotland, the pretty village of Helmsdale has many attractions for those staying in the village or using it as a base to explore further afield. Pan for gold at the site of the great gold rush of 1869 at Baile an Or and Suisgill, or journey downriver to the Strath of Kildonan, which has its own rich history and abundant wildlife.

The beautiful beaches in the area are some of the best in Scotland to find fossils from the Jurassic period, and the village itself offers a variety of diversions, whether you are interested in fishing, crafts, good food or local history. The mountains and wetlands of Sutherland are within easy reach, as are the whisky distilleries and the Orkney Islands.

With a tumultuous past and a vivid backdrop, Helmsdale is unforgettable as a holiday destination.

Tourist Information Strath Ullie, The Harbour, Shore Street, Helmsdale KW8 6JZ Tel: +44 (0)1431 821 402 The pride of Scotland The Burns Heritage Park in Alloway, Ayrshire, lays open the life of Scotland's National Poet, and the inspirations behind the poetry that has travelled across cultures to be loved by people around the world.

Visitors can explore the small cottage where the poet was born, and view many personal items housed in the Burns Cottage Museum, giving a real insight into Burns' formative years, his numerous love affairs and the inspiration he found among the Ayrshire countryside around him.

Follow the route of Tom O...

• By : Liz Pickering
• In : Destinations
• Issue : 37
• Page : 54
• Words : 1,727