This article is the eighth of a series of articles covering much of the UK. It is basically a list of locations I have programmed into my GPS Satellite Navigator - most of which I have visited, the rest being other places I intend to get to some day. It is not a comprehensive guide to Western Scotland, only the parts I have been to and photographed - or intend to.

It will not contain any photographs, the intention being simply to provide information about location, access and likely subjects. I have photographs of many of the locations in my galleries at www.f22.org.uk if you want to see what you could see before setting out.

I've called it The Lazy Photographer's Guide since most of the locations are less than half a mile from road access.

5 Sisters of Kintail
GR NG 909 201
The 5 Sisters of Kintail form a spectacular high ridge north of Glen Shiel between Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie. Of them, three are full Munros - discrete mountains over 3000 feet in height - whilst the other two are subsidiary Munro summits, still over 3000 feet but without a minimum drop of 500 feet between them and their neighbours.

Access - this fine view is from a car park off the Glenelg road, above Loch Duich. From the A87 "Road to the Isles", turn off at Shiel Bridge on the road to Glenelg. After about half a mile, keep left and follow the road as it climbs up through coniferous forests. About a mile further on, the road takes a series of tight turns as it climbs steeply. The car park and picnic site is on the outside of the first left-hand bend after a tight right-hand (almost hairpin) bend.

What to see - this location gives fine views of the 5 Sisters of Kintail, Shiel Bridge, Loch Duich and up the lower part of Glen Croe.

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Achintraid & Ardarroch
GR NG 836 386
A coastal village on the shore of Loch Kishorn

Access - From the A896 Lochcarron-Torridon road, about four miles west of Lochcarron, turn off just after Sanachan for Ardarroch. Achintraid is about a mile beyond Ardarroch on the same road.

What to see - there are various places that you can pull of the road, affording views of Loch Kishorn and the mountains opposite. At Achintraid you can access the shore for beach detail shots and birds.

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Blackrock Cottage
GR NN 268 529
Just off the A82 road between Rannoch Moor and Glencoe this must be the most photographed cottage in Scotland.

Access - From the A82, take the road south signposted for the Ski Centre. The cottage is less than half a mile down on the right, with room to park opposite

What to see - the cottage with Buachaille Etive Mor behind in the distance, assuming that visibility is good that is. From here you can also get views of Rannoch Moor to the North-East. Before rejoining the main road, pull off by the junction for views in all directions, particularly West with Buachaille Etive Mor dominating the skyline.

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Buachaille Etive Mor
GR NN 244 543
Buachaille Etive Mor is probably one of the best-recognised mountains in Western Scotland amongst photographers.

Access - From the A82, take the road south signposted for Glen Etive and Loch Etive. Less than half a mile down, just before the road crosses a small bridge, there is a layby on the left with room for three or four cars.

What to see - there are a multitude of possible views here, all including the mountain itself. A path opposite the layby leads alongside the river where you can find many angles with small waterfalls for foreground interest. If you cross the bridge you can shoot from on the bridge, or drop down to the left or right on the far side to get down to the river level. From the downstream side, you can get low enough to get the mountain framed by the gorge and the bridge.

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Castle Stalker
GR NM 924 474
On an island at the mouth of Loch Laich, Castle Stalker is one of the many clan castles of Western Scotland. Originally built by the Stewarts in the 1400s it's passed between the Stewart and Campbell clans several times.

Access - the castle can be seen from the A828 between Ballachulish and Connel, about halfway along at Portnacroish. There is a small layby at the above grid reference from which there is a good view looking down at the castle

What to see - apart from the view from the layby, there are various other views in the area - from the old railway trackbed and from the Port Appin road. The castle is open to visit from time to time, details here.

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Eilean Donan Castle
GR NG 882 258
Probably the most photographed castle in Western Scotland, Eilean Donan lies at the mouths of Loch Duich and Loch Long. Originally built in the 13th century, by the Mackenzies and the MacReas, it was occupied by Spanish troops in 1719 attempting to start another Jacobite Rising. The castle was recaptured then destroyed by bombardment from three Royal Navy frigates. Between 1912 and 1932 the castle was restored and the arched bridge added to give access. It remains the home of the Clan MacRea and is open to the public from April to October.

Access - the main car park is off the A87 "Road to the Isles" just south-east of Dornie, and is well signposted. If you miss the signs, the castle itself is a dead giveaway. For an alternative view, park by the Dornie village hall, on the opposite side of the A87 road bridge from the castle.

What to see - the castle itself, with fine views across Loch Duich and down Loch Alsh towards Skye. The castle is at its best if you are fortunate to get a good sunset at high tide on a calm day, with the castle floodlights turned on. Dornie is also worth a look, especially from the far side of the river.

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Glen Coe
GR NN 166 569
A dramatic glaciated valley between Rannoch Moor and the coast at Loch Leven, Glen Coe is a photographer's dream - or nightmare if, as often happens, the weather is less than kind.

Access - the A82 Glasgow-Inverness road runs through the glen with several parking places and laybys available.

What to see - dramatic highland scenery, flora and fauna.

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Glen Croe
GR NG 946 211
An attractive valley where the River Croe discharges into the head of Loch Duich.

Access - taking the A87 "Road to the Isles" north and west, there is a causeway across the foot of Glen Croe just north of Shiel Bridge. Shortly after the end of the causeway is a turning on the right for Morvich. Upon taking this turning you will come to a car park on the right after a couple of hundred yards. A path leads from this up onto a small hill topped by the war memorial.

What to see - great views up and across Glen Croe, especially at high tide on a still day for reflections in the water. The ruined church and graveyard below the memorial. Turning the other way, you also get a good view across Loch Duich

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Glen Shiel old bridge
GR NG 991 131
The site of the Battle of Glenshiel in 1719, where the Spanish occupiers of Eilean Donan castle were finally defeated, the main road has been diverted but the old bridge remains, nestling in the bottom of the glen.

Access - on the A87 "Road to the Isles" between Shiel Bridge and Loch Cluanie, the bridge is roughly midway between the two. There is a layby on the north side of the road.

What to see - the bridge, river and the dramatic scenery around it.

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Glenelg
GR NG 811 192
Glenelg lies on the mainland side of the Sound of Sleat. A ferry runs from Glenelg across to Skye in the summer months.

Access - From the A87 "Road to the Isles", turn off at Shiel Bridge on the road signposted to Glenelg. As you approach Glenelg keep left for the village, or right for the ferry crossing to Skye. If you carry on down the coast road south, you eventually get good views of Loch Hourn too.

What to see - the beach with views across the Sound of Sleat to Skye, beach flora and fauna.

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Loch Carron
GR NG 867 344
The next sea loch north of Kyle of Lochalsh, Loch Carron offers some fine views. In May/June the north-western shore can give good displays of thrift in flower.

Access - the loch is bounded by the A890, which links the A87 at Auchertyre with the A892 at Achnasheen, and the A896 to Torridon. One good viewpoint is a large layby above Stromeferry at the grid ref above. For a lower angle across Strome Narrows, you can take the side road down to Stromeferry. Note, despite the name, there is actually no ferry.

What to see - the loch with spectacular mountains on the far side and Strome Castle ruins directly across from Stromeferry.

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Loch Cluanie
GR NH 134 099
A large reservoir beside the A87 "Road to the Isles"

Access - Take the A87 "Road to the Isles" and you'll find Loch Cluanie just to the east of the head of Glen Shiel. There are several laybys along the loch shore.

What to see - the loch has spectacular views, both of it and of the mountains around. On a still day, it can offer some great reflections.

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Loch Etive
GR NN 107 449
Loch Etive is a long sea loch south of Glen Coe. There is no road running all the way down Glen Etive, you can only get to the head of the loch from Glen Coe. Alternatively the lower stretches can be accessed from the A85 near Oban.

Access - for the head of the loch and Glen Etive, take the Glen Etive road from the A82 at the top of Glen Coe and follow it all the way to the end.

What to see - the loch and typical highland flora and fauna. Glen Etive, en route, is particularly picturesque, so it's well worth not rushing down to the loch.

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Loch Garry
GR NH 211 028
Loch Garry lies beside the A87 "Road to the Isles", just outside Invergarry. Like many of the lochs in the area, it is a reservoir but is still very attractive.

Access - take the A87 out of Invergarry. The grid ref above is a good viewpoint up above the loch, offering a spectacular view up the glen to the mountains in the distance. From down the hill (towards Invergarry) there is a side road that leads along the north shore of the loch, and a bit further down is a layby (not easy to spot if the undergrowth is high) where you can get down to the water's edge.

What to see - the loch and surrounding mountains/scenery, flora and fauna.

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Loch Leven
GR NN 093 586
Loch Leven lies at the foot of Glen Coe, offering fine views of Glen Coe and the mountains around.

Access - the grid ref above is for a sailing club on the A82 just outside Glencoe village. There is a layby near the head of the slipway and you can walk down to the loch shore to get views up and down the loch. For views up Glen Coe and of the Pap of Glencoe, cross the Ballachulish Bridge and take the B863 from North Ballachulish along the loch north shore. This road runs right around the loch and back to Glencoe if you wish

What to see - the loch and mountains around, including the Pap of Glencoe. Boats on the loch and appropriate flora & fauna.

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Loch Quoich
GR NH 069 024
Another reservoir, but well worth a look.

Access - take the A87 out of Invergarry and take the turning on the left a couple of miles along Loch Garry. Follow this road beyond the head of Loch Garry and continue until you reach the dam of Loch Quioch.

What to see - the loch and the surrounding landscape. Apparently there is a bridge halfway up the loch, just past which in the winter the keepers put food out for the deer so it's possible to get good shots of them. I haven't had the chance to check this out yet though.

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Plockton
GR NG 803 333
A traditional Scottish fishing village at the mouth of Loch Carron, which has been used for many TV and film purposes, notably the BBC series Hamish Macbeth.

Access - Head for Kyle of Lochalsh and follow signs to Plockton.

What to see - the village and harbour, with views up Loch Carron. There are boat trips to see seals and otters, one of which guarantees that you will see seals or you don't pay.

An alternative view of Plockton can be had from the platform at Duncraig station. As you approach Plockton, turn right then take the 2nd left for the station. It's a dirt track most of the way down and just short of the station, bear left. The right-hand fork leads to a bridge over the railway and is blocked off. There is room to turn and park at the station.

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Rannoch Moor
GR NN 308 495
A fine example of highland moorland, dotted with numerous lochans.

Access - the A82 Glasgow-Inverness road runs across Rannoch Moor, except when the road is closed due to heavy snow. There are several laybys available in both directions, from which the lochans are accessible on foot.

What to see - the moor, lochans and surrounding hills. Moorland flora and fauna. On a still day, the lochans offer some great reflection potential.

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Ratagan
GR NG 920 197
On the south shore of Loch Duich, Ratagan and the road along the loch shore offer good views of the loch and mountains.

Access - From the A87 "Road to the Isles", turn off at Shiel Bridge on the road signposted to Glenelg. After half a mile, take the turning on the right for the Ratagan road.

What to see - fine views across the loch, including the 5 Sisters of Kintail with (if you're in luck) a good reflection.

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Strome Castle
GR NG 862 354
A ruined castle overlooking Strome Narrows on Loch Carron

Access - take the A890/896 past Loch Carron and turn left in Lochcarron village to take the minor road down the north shore of the loch. The castle is about 4 miles down the road.

What to see - the castle ruins, Loch Carron, Stromeferry across Strome Narrows and views across to Raasay and Skye.

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