Castle Leod seat of the Clan Mackenzie and home to the current Chieftain is situated just outside the picturesque Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer. A magnificent, compact, L-pan tower house the result of the extending and remodeling of an earlier castle, the work carried out circa 1606 by Sir Roderick Mackenzie, the 17th century family founder of the Earls of Cromartie. An additional section was later added in the re-entrant angle to accommodate a larger staircase and extra bedrooms. The castle has remained the seat of the Earls of Cromartie ever since. The grounds boast some magnificent trees including Giant Sequoias and a Spanish Chestnut planted in 1550 for a visit by Mary of Guise (Mary Queen of Scots' mother).
A day trip by coach from Ullapool to Lochinver driving past Knockan Crag and through the North West Highlands Geopark is certainly one of the most popular excursions undertaken by visiting cruise ship passengers. The narrow road twists its way inland through mountain ranges, lochs and rivers to finally arrive back at the coast in Lochinver. On route the road passes the world famous Inchnadamph 'bone caves' where both human and animal bones have been discovered dating back as far as the 3rd millennium BC. Lochinver itself lies in the shadow of the mighty mountain Sullivan; a busy fishing port with regular foreign landings Lochinver has a unique vibrance and beauty.
