Otherworldly Scotland

Getting to Applecross is "a test of both man and machine", says Charlie Stayt in the Independent. To reach this village on the west coast of Scotland, you have to drive up narrow roads "hugging the side of the mountain" and manoeuvre your way along "impossibly acute hairpin bends". But it's worth it when you get there, and find yourself in "an oasis of calm within an oasis of calm". The sand is "white and soft, almost like the Caribbean", while the water is "crystal-clear". On a sunny day, you could think yourself in a Scottish version of the Mediterranean. The area is also "perfect" for walking. Applecross won't suit families "who seek laid-on entertainment" on their holidays; it's a "place to forget the outside world", relish the great outdoors, and "marvel at how beautiful Scotland can be". Visit applecross.uk.com. ·