Perfect for midwinter mystics.
Just a mile or so from the newly modernised Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, with its thousands of visitors and large car park and other 21st century facilities, is the small but perfectly formed and well preserved 4,000-year- old burial site of Clava Cairns with ring cairns and standing stones.
The site is tucked away in a valley close to the Nairn river and in sight of a high railway viaduct.
When we visited it on a bright, frozen New Year's Day it was under a blue sky and the low winter sun cast long shadows from the standing stones. Visit on Midwinter Solstice and watch the sun send rays of light along the entrance passages and illuminate the back wall of the ancient burial mounds.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_067&PropName=Clava%20Cairns
Google map: bit.ly/nL6OdI

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This is a bed and breakfast in the wonderful Highland countryside. A hidden gem, with fantastic views, food and wonderful hosts.

www.carndaisyhouse.co.uk
Easter Urray, Muir of Ord, IV6 7UL
+44 (0)1463 870244
Google map: bit.ly/iP7FRa

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The Loch Ness Monster or Nessie as she is affectionately known. Was first brought to prominance in the early 1930s when a journalist for the Inverness courier published an item about sightings of a dragon or prehistoric animal carrying an animal in its mouth.
Since that time there have been many more supposed sightings many backed up with photographic and video evidence.
Whether she exists or not the Loch ness monster is one of scotlands leading tourist attractions and even if you dont see a monster, Loch Ness is still a very beautiful place to visit.

Loch Ness, Highlands, Scotland
www.visitlochness.com/
Google map: bit.ly/gKLVdV

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Highlanders! If, like me, you hate travelling, wasting a precious day of what remains of your life and arriving sweaty, dishevelled and exhausted in central London, forget the plane.

The Caledonian Sleeper leaves Inverness every evening. Standard Class passengers travel in a spotless, comfortable berth with bunk beds, a sink, towels, soap, hangers and bottles of Scottish spring water. There's a lounge car on the train which serves food and drinks.

It is a lovely feeling to be lulled to sleep by the movement of the train. You're woken by a member of staff who brings you tea or coffee and a biscuit and get into Euston just before eight o'clock feeling wonderfully rested and ready for a day of metropolitan business or pleasure.

There are a number of "Bargain Berths" each month.I booked online. My ticket cost £39, but some are even cheaper. Lone travellers may be required to share with someone of the same sex. I travelled mid-week and had the berth to myself.

I'll never fly to London again.

www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper

in person - principal staffed stations

Scotrail Telesales - 08457 550033

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