The Scottish Highlands boast a magical landscape of rivers, lochs, craggy peaks and isolated beaches. It is the place to go for fishing, walking, relaxing and switching off. Tucked away in these remote parts are some of Britain's finest hideaways offering stunning scenery, gourmet meals and plenty of peace and quiet.

ARDANAISEIG HOTEL
Kilchrenan by Taynuilt, Argyll (01866 833 333; www.ardanaiseig-hotel.com). A beautifully furnished country house where notable touches include wellies by the front door for guests' use and, in the sitting room, a telescope trained on the seals in Loch Awe below. The food is excellent (fried sea bass with celeriac purée, prune-and-Armagnac soufflé). Owner Benjamin Gray is an antiquarian and patron of both music and theatre. In the summer, performances are staged in an amphitheatre built in the gardens. £

CASTLE STUART
Inverness (01463 790 745; fax: 792 604; www.castlestuart.com). The owner, Charles Stuart, spent 15 years renovating the 400-year old castle, which had been abandoned for 300 years. The castle is officially a 'tower house' with two circular towers linked by a central block. Inside, the furniture has been crafted from 400-year-old reclaimed oak into sturdy beds and all rooms have gas-powered open fires and soft furnishings. Castle Stuart was featured in our special feature on Scottish Castles. ££

INVERLOCHY CASTLE
(01397 702 177; fax: 702 953; www.inverlochy.co.uk). Inverlochy, an idyllic Scottish country-house hotel built in 1863, is wonderfully peaceful. Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, towers in front of the hotel, affording spectacular views. With 16 plush rooms and one suite, Inverlochy provides the sort of service that hotel connoisseurs expect. Inverlochy Castle was featured in our special feature on Scottish Castles. £££

ISLE OF ERISKA
Ledaig, near Oban (01631 720 371; email: office@eriska-hotel.co.uk). The Buchanan-Smiths have sensitively transformed their private island into a luxurious resort complete with golf course, tennis courts and swimming pool/spa. The wonderfully turreted and gabled house itself is a little heavy on the chintz, but has considerable charm and serves excellent meals. Closed from just after New Year until St Valentine's Day. £££

LOCH TORRIDON COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
Torridon, near Achnasheen (01445 791 242; www.lochtorridonhotel.com). This is a splendid baronial building in a magnificent setting. Comfortable rather than stylish, the hotel is run by two generations of the Gregory family, who play host to a devoted coterie of regulars. ££

MULLARDOCH HOUSE HOTEL
Glen Cannich, near Beauly (01456 415 460; www.mullhouse1.demon.co.uk). Nine miles down a single-track road from the village of Cannich, this is not a place you would stumble across by chance. With just eight bedrooms, it has the happy atmosphere of a house party where gourmet meals (perfect soufflé, Highland beef) are served each evening. ££

POOL HOUSE
Highland, Poolewe, Ross-shire (01445 781 272, www.poolhousehotel.com). Pool House is the perfect bet for a rather decadent weekend away à deux. A family run labour of love, Pool House maintains its intimacy by offering only five luxurious and highly spacious suites, each one individually decorated and furnished with wonderful one-off pieces. £££

SKIBO CASTLE
The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle (01862 894 600; fax: 894601; www.carnegieclub.co.uk). Set amid 7,500 acres of forested estate and well hidden from public view near the small town of Dormoch, Skibo Castle deserves its reputation as one of the most exclusive hotels in the world. If you do visit, stay the whole weekend, as for non-Club members, the rules state that you may only ever visit once. Its pool is magnificent, built entirely of marble and housed in an elongated conservatory. There's also an 18-hole links golf course, salmon and trout fishing, hunting, falconry, clay-pigeon shooting, tennis, badminton, walking, rowing, canoeing, bird-watching, horse riding, off-road driving, snooker, archery, croquet, target shooting and mountain biking. Skibo Castle was featured in our special feature on Scottish Castles. ££££

SUMMER ISLES HOTEL
Achiltibuie, near Ullapool (01854 622 282; fax: 622 251; email: summerisleshotel@aol.com). The Summer Isles Hotel, just beyond the post office, comprises a glass-fronted main house and a collection of guest cottages. It occupies a wonderful position just above a sandy beach, with views across to the islands from which it takes its name, and offers a friendly atmosphere. There are 23 rooms including three suites, the only rooms provided with televisions. The restaurant's British cuisine, based largely on home-grown or locally caught ingredients has earned it a Michelin star. Local cruise boats conduct regular tours for seal-spotters and bird-watchers. Book in advance. Closed mid-October to Easter. ££

THE ALBANNACH
Baddidarroch, Lochinver (01571 844 407; fax: 844 285). This impressive, grey-stone house, which stands in walled gardens and incorporates the shell of a much earlier cottage, is a five-bedroom, no-television idyll on the outskirts of Lochinver. Most rooms command good views over the harbour of Lochinver; the panelled dining room looks out to the peak of Canisp. The moderately priced five-course set menu includes ingredients such as local scallops and Highland beef. Closed December to mid-March. ££

THE CEILIDH PLACE
14 West Argyle Street, Ullapool (01854 612 103; fax: 612 886; email: reservations@ceilidh.demon.co.uk). Set up as a coffee shop in 1970, the Céilidh Place developed into a centre for live music and has since spawned a bar, bistro, bakery, bookshop and hotel with immaculate, comfortable rooms. £

For walks in the Assynt area, A Hillwalker's Guide to Sutherland and Walk Sutherland, both by Tom Strang, are published by the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, £4.95 each. The author is an expert mountain walker and climber, and runs courses and tours from his lodge near Elphin (01854 666 203).

Other Highland activities include fishing, surfing and wildlife tours.

AIRPORT
Fly to Inverness airport. The best way of exploring the area is by car. There are a number of car hire companies in Inverness including Budget (01463 713 333).

AIRLINES WITHIN THE UK
British Airways (0845 779 9977; www.british-airways.com) flies from Gatwick and easyJet (0870 600 0000; www.easyjet.com) flies from Luton.

The summer is the best time to visit the Highlands. Winters are bitter and many hotels are closed. Be prepared for rainfall, even during the summer months and take anti-midge protection.

The summer is the best time to visit the Highlands. Winters are bitter and many hotels are closed. Be prepared for rainfall, even during the summer months and take anti-midge protection.