Prologue

The popular image of Scotland--certainly the one that has been exported worldwide since the nineteenth century--has been that of a savage, desolate wilderness of romantic, heathered moors and mountains shrouded in mist. However, only half of the countryside lives up to this quixotic notion: the Scottish Highlands.


Although the Highlands comprise more than half the land in Scotland, it is one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe. Of Scotland's five million inhabitants, only 350,000 call the Highlands home, and numbers are dwindling as members of each subsequent generation leave to find better employment opportunities. While it may not have much to offer in the way of industry (outside of tourism), the northern half of Scotland does feature some of the most striking landscapes found anywhere in the world.

I've spent quite a bit of time trolling around the Highlands, and as such have amassed a collection of photos nearing the thousand mark. Given the sheer number of photos I have from my wee sojourns to the Highlands, I've decided to feature a multi-part series of Highland towns, regions, and attractions. Trust me, your bandwidth will thank me.