Walkhighlands has the largest database of self-catering holiday cottages in Scotland – with over 2,500 cottages featured on the site. Last year – despite gloomy predictions – the number of visitors to Scotland was actually slightly up on the previous year, meaning it remains key to book early for the peak summer period to be sure of getting the cottage you really want. Until this week, cottages could only be browsed by looking through the listings for each region. We’ve now launched a new search facility, allowing visitors to more easily find cottages which matches their requirements for facilities –…

Pronouncing the names of the mountains in Scotland can be as difficult as climbing them to some visitors. Walkhighlands has launched a new series of easy-to-use pages that enable visitors to more easily find and listen to recordings of the pronunciation of Gaelic hillnames. The recordings – which feature a native Gaelic speaker – are the most comprehensive set available, covering all the Munros, Corbetts and Grahams. There are also hundreds of recordings of other placenames accessible via the ‘play’ button next to the title on walk descriptions, such as all of those on the Isle of Skye. The names…

Vouchers for hand-crafted sculptures are winging their way to three lucky Walkhighlands members after the winners of the recent Speyside Sculpture competition were announced. Entrants had to correctly identify the two hills carved onto a wooden house sign. Sculptor Stuart Murdoch said, “Thanks to all the Walkhighlands members who entered. The quiz must have been quite hard as, out of more than 20,000 members, there were only 25 correct answers! “The sign was for a property on the A82 just north west of Crianlarich. The hills they see from their lounge that I incorporated into the carving are…(drum roll)… Ben…

A number of advertising members of Walkhighlands have reached the finals of this year's Scottish Thistle Awards. The tourism awards are organised by VisitScotland and aim to find the best businesses from each region of Scotland. Craigatin House and Courtyard, Pitlochry and Cadrhu Country House, Speyside will be competing for the Best Guest House or Bed & Breakfast while Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages, West Lothian and Morag’s Lodge, Drumnadrochit will battle it out for the title of Best Self Serve Accommodation. The Glenview, a restaurant with rooms on the Isle of Skye is hoping to be awarded Best Restaurant, Cafe…

A new guidebook to the Munros is now available to pre-order in time for Christmas, and there’s a 20% discount for early birds as well as free delivery for advance orders. The Munros – A Walkhighlands Guide will be published by walking specialists, Pocket Mountains on 7 December and is priced at £12.99. “This guide is for anyone who wants to climb these mountains and aims to provide reliable routes and tips for ascending them safely. The Munros will ensure you reach parts of Scotland you might otherwise overlook, spend memorable evenings in pubs, bothies and wild camps, and have…

Three advertising members of Walkhighlands have picked up prestigious gongs at the annual Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. The Glenview – based on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye – has built a strong reputation for delicious locally-sourced food and friendly service. The Restaurant with Rooms won the award for Best Restaurant / Cafe in the Highlands and Islands. The prize for Best Visitor Attraction went to Speyside-based Craggan Outdoors, which offers one of the widest range of outdoor activities in the Highlands and has been Tripadvisor’s top rated outdoor centre in Scotland since 2009. Finally Morag’s Lodge…