This is the essential guide to the north of Scotland, on a route which begins in Inverness, weaves westwards to Applecross and then

northwards towards Torridon. From Ullapool it leads to the most northerly points in Britain, passing by Caithness and John o' Groats before

heading south again through Dingwall and to Inverness.In addition to stunning mountains, moors, lochs and beaches, the route also features

exquisite towns and villages, castles, distilleries, breweries, natural wonders and wildlife.

Brigid Benson, who knows the road intimately, divides the route into manageable chunks, suggesting where to discover history, observe wildlife,

meet great local characters, shop at quirky stores, taste outstanding food, drink in friendly bars and cafes, stand in awe of amazing sights, and

recommending places to picnic, swim, surf, walk and stargaze. And great places to camp and stay. She also draws attention to attention to

potential pitfalls, offering useful advice on single-track roads, fuel, car problems, planning realistic itineraries, and much more.