Beauly

The railway station sits quietly most afternoons, but come morning and evening it springs to life with commuters heading to Inverness. That's Beauly for you - a proper Highland town that's never lost its working character despite the tourist traffic heading north to Loch Ness.

School Lochan provides a lovely spot for an early morning walk, while the Memorial Fountain anchors the town centre where locals still gather for a proper chat. St Mary's Beauly dominates the skyline - this 13th-century priory ruin is genuinely impressive, not just another pile of old stones. The Lovat Scout South African War Memorial tells a story most visitors miss entirely.

Moniack Castle, just outside town, produces some decent fruit wines if you fancy something different from the usual whisky trail. Wardlaw Church offers stunning views across the Beauly Firth, particularly on those clear Highland days when you can see for miles.

The surrounding countryside is classic Highland Scotland - rolling hills give way to dramatic peaks like Phoineas Hill, while the firth stretches towards the Moray coast. It's proper walking country, and significantly quieter than the circus around Loch Ness just 20 minutes south.

Muir of Ord station connects you to the Kyle line - one of Britain's most scenic railway journeys. Inverness is a quick 20-minute hop away when you need proper shops or restaurants.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to Inverness for day trips, yet far enough out to enjoy genuine Highland peace. The glamping options around Loch Ness offer luxury with mountain views, while traditional caravan parks provide excellent value for exploring both the central Highlands and the Black Isle peninsula.