Moidart is a historic area where one of the main strongholds of the Lord of the Isles is situated and where Bonnie Prince Charlie was to land and start the Jacobite rebellion to begin his campaign to re-capture the thrones of Scotland and England.

It is well worthwhile taking a trip along the Road to the Isles.  Running from Fort William, located at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis to Mallaig, a pretty fishing port the road where you can take a ferry to the Isle of Skye.

It is one of the most scenic roads in the country with some spectacular views to the Hebrides. The road passes the Glenfinnan monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie at the head of Loch Shiel, the white church at Lochailort that featured in the film Local Hero and the beautiful White Sands of Morar.

If you travel along this route you can either drive or cycle along the road or you can take the Jacobite steam train that runs once a day in each direction during the summer. You can stop off at Glenfinnan and visit the station, now a museum and restaurant.

If you wish to trace the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie you can go to Kinlochmoidart, about eight miles away and see the Seven Men of Moidart. These seven beech trees commemorate the seven clansmen who accompanied the Prince from France and it was here that the Prince was to stay for a week at the beginning of his campaign.

At Glenfinnan at the head of the loch there is one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, the Glenfinnan monument, topped by a kilted highlander. It was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie unfurled his standard on 19 August 1745 in front of almost 1200 clansmen to start the Jacobite rebellion. There is a visitor centre located by the road to tell the story.

A trip to one of the small isles, Rum, Canna, Eigg or Muck is well worthwhile. The Sheerwater departs from Arisaig and visits one of these islands every day during the summer months. Rum is owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and has Kinloch Castle that was recently featured on BBC’s Restoration programme.

All the other small isles are of interest. Canna is owned by the Scottish National Trust and has an attractive harbour and eminent Gaelic Library.  Eigg has been the subject of an island buy out and features a pretty Italianate house designed by the eminent Scottish architect, Balfour Paul. Muck, the smallest with a population of 30 has many pleasant walks.

It is only a short drive away to Kilchoan or Lochaline where ferries for the Isle of Mull depart, a wonderful place to spend a day. If you visit Ardnamurchan you can go to the lighthouse, situated at the most westerly point of mainland Britain, and go to Sanna and walk along the golden sands.